Obituary of Ronald Francis Cleary

It is with great sadness that we, the children of the late Ronald Francis Michael-Joseph Cleary, announce his death. 

Ron, 82, passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2025, at the Dr. L.A. Miller Centre in St. John’s, with his six children and wife of 61 years at his bedside. 

Ron was born on May 11, 1943, in Riverhead, Harbour Grace, and was the oldest son of the late Thomas and Patricia (Callahan) Cleary. Ron is predeceased by his siblings, Jeanie and Kenneth, and loving Aunt Julia.

Ron leaves to mourn his wife Brenda (Ryan), and children Denise (Simon), Ryan (Tina), Margaret Ann (Glenn), Rhonda (Adrian), Shannon (Krista), and Brendan; grandchildren Nicholas (Paula), Emily (Sean), Michael (Brooke), Ben (Beth), Hayley, River, Trinity, Chris, Robyn, Ireland, Chase, Caroline, Clare, Charlotte, and Jacob; as well as great-grandchildren Ellie, Miles, and Poppy.

Ron is lovingly remembered by his siblings Patricia, Judy (Manuel), Linda, Kevin (Carolann), Phyllis (Luke), Thomas (Gladys), Donald (Tina), Michelle (Steve), and Scott (Colleen), and a huge circle of family and friends. Special sisters-in-law Ruth Ann, Paula (Jeff), and Barbara (Michael). 

Ron led his life by example, and put his family first — often at huge sacrifice. Ron worked away in the Canadian Arctic for almost 20 years, leaving home for months on end, when the only communication with his family was a Sunday evening, ship-to-shore telephone call.

Ron had an unrivalled work ethic, a trait he passed onto each of his children, along with a passion for the outdoors, particularly fishing in the backwoods of Gambo on legendary trout ponds like Rodney and Dead Wolf. 

Our best vacations were in tents and tag-alongs, when summer days ended with the sound of Dad casting a fly from the bow of his boat. He took Mom, a Townie, fishing on the first date, and actually won her over. 

Our Father was a devoted family man, who loved our mother ’til his last breath. Dad was surrounded by his wife and children when he died. He held a picture of the Mother of Perpetual Help in his left hand, and his last act was to raise it to his chest. 

There could be no better goodbye to the finest man and father. 

Visitation at Noel’s Funeral Home, Harvey Street, Harbour Grace on Thursday, September 11 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

A funeral mass in his honour to take place on Friday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m. from St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Riverhead, Harbour Grace.