Obituary of Kevin Thomas Cleary

It is with great sadness that we, the children of the late Kevin Thomas Cleary, announce his death. Kevin, 72, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025, at his home in Riverhead, Harbour Grace, Conception Bay. His death came after a long battle with cancer and its ruthless complications. But even down to his last breath that disease did not take our father’s spirit nor did it dent his will.

Our father was born on October 18,1952, in Gander, and was the third son of the late Thomas and Patricia (Callahan) Cleary. He is predeceased by his infant daughter Danielle, siblings, Ron, Jeanie and Kenneth. 

He leaves to mourn his loving partner of 27 years Carolann Lynch and his children, Neil (Janna), Danny (Helen), and Heather (Jeff) Liddle; his step-children Andrea, Corey, Lori Lynn (Darryl); his grandchildren Nolan, Ewan, Graham, Elle, Lola, Jaxon, Sawyer, Noah and Emily. They dearly loved their Poppy Kev.

Kevin is lovingly remembered by his siblings Patricia, Judy (Manuel), Linda, Phyllis (Luke), Thomas (Gladys), Donald (Tina), Michelle (Steve), Scott (Colleen), and sister-in-law Brenda; a large group of nieces and nephews; our mother Janet; and lifelong friends Gary (Bernadette), John (Geraldine) and             Arthur (Laverne). 

Dad had an infectious spirit that was not to be tamed. Smart, funny, sarcastic, and ready for any game, any time, against all comers. He was sharp and he had character. He gave no quarter and would accept none. The late Leo Galway first described our father to me in 1982 as someone who would go for it to be the hero. He would hit for the fences and go for the gullies. He would go all in - and whether he had the cards or not he was never a bluff. He had the heart of a champion and taught us respect and to work hard for our goals. He always said YOU CAN BE ANYTHING you set your mind to if you work for it. We all believed him and believed in him. 

Our dad loved his family and would do anything for them. He gave us everything he could. And most importantly he gave us his time. He would play with us and coach us and listen to us. He stayed away from deeper conflict and tried to reason and forgive as best he could. He had a large resilient family who were, and are a clan of deeply loving and caring people. He loved all of us, his grandchildren, his brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews and he did the best he could for all of them. 

Our dad loved the outdoors. His youth in Gander and their family cabin on Gambo Pond ignited a love of fishing and the outdoors. We spent trips when we were young with uncle Ron and his boys in tents in the remote Gambo back woods. Years later with Gary, John and Junior, our dad and these best friends built a remote cabin at Number Two Pond in Indian Bay in Bonavista North. This cabin was our father’s prize. Admittedly it was no mansion nor castle but the people who visited there lived and left as Kings and Queens. His beloved cabin brings joy and laughter and banter and ridicule and there is love and friendship underlying it all. Over almost 30 years Dad and his friends and family made countless trips and had countless adventures in Indian Bay. The cabin walls hold a history of friendship and camaraderie that is unrivalled. Games of poker, crib, darts - may they never end. Those fishermen chase the biggest mud trout for the weekend Trophy, but more importantly for the weekend bragging rights.

Our dad has likely started a game of crib way up above us, and if you listen closely you might hear him holler, slam his cards down in victory, dance around the floor, bellowing something about his opponent getting skunked. 

Yes, our father hit for the fences. And he was and he will forever be our hero. 

Visitation at Noel’s Funeral Home, Harvey Street, Harbour Grace on Thursday, October 9th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. A funeral mass in his honour to take place on Friday, October 10th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Riverhead, Harbour Grace. A reception will follow at the Knights of Columbus in Harbour Grace.

We offer our sincere thanks to Carolann for the incredible care she gave to her partner and our father through his illness. We are also sincerely thankful to the doctors and nurses of Carbonear General, to Dr. Hayes, and to the paramedics who responded to the call.

In lieu of flowers, please play a hand of cards or cribbage or checkers - any game - with your friends and loved ones in memory of our father, Kevin Cleary.