Bernard T. "Bernie" Cleary

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Celebrating the life of
Bernard T. "Bernie" ClearyMarch 31, 1933 - December 30, 2016

Bernard T. (Bernie) Cleary

Bernard T. (Bernie) Cleary, 83, former Public Relations Manager of Union Camp Corporation’s Savannah facility, died Friday, December 30, 2016 after a long illness.

Born March 31, 1933, he was the son of George J. and Annie Travers Cleary, both deceased. He was also predeceased by two older brothers, George J. (Jude) Cleary, Jr. and William O. Cleary.

Bernie was a native of Savannah and was educated in local parochial schools. He attended Sacred Heart School and was a 1951 honor graduate of Benedictine Military School. His college experience involved the George Institute of Technology as well as The University of Georgia, receiving an Industrial Management degree from Georgia Tech and a Journalism degree from Georgia.

He began his working career with the Savannah Evening Press as a sports reporter and was later named Assistant Sports Editor. His final few years with the afternoon paper he served as News Editor. Bernie joined Union Camp Public Relations in 1968 and progressed to Assistant Manager and the Manager before retirement. On that occasion, he was honored with a city proclamation declaring March 27, 1997, as “Bernie Cleary Day in Savannah.”

His life was a testament to the values of hard work and finding time to “Give Back.” Over a number of years, he was very active in the public relations committees of the Chamber of Commerce and the United Way and served on the board of the Better Business Bureau. He was a committee member for the Coastal Area Games Authority for the 1996 Olympics, a member of the Advertising Club of Savannah, an associate member of the Georgia Press Association, a member and past president of the Exchange Club of Savannah, a past president of the Coastal Empire Fair Association, a Trustee of the Victor B. Jenkins Memorial Boys Club, a member and past president of the Notre Dame Club of Savannah, and a member and past president of Sinn Fein. In addition, he was very proud of his membership in the unique agenda less 1-2-3 Luncheon Club.

Bernie’s volunteerism extended in a large measure to his church…. his faith. For many years, he was chairman of the Savannah Catholic Diocese Communications Commission. Active as a volunteer of the Social Apostolate of Savannah, the Catholic outreach to homeless and otherwise marginalized citizens, he served on this organization’s board and was president for two years. He was a church Eucharistic Minister for many years. Bernie devoted his energies to Catholic Education as a charter member of the Benedictine Board of Advisors, as a member and board chairman of St. Vincent’s Academy, and as a St. Michael’s School board member on Tybee Island.

In 2005, the Savannah Diocese named him (along with his wife) a Bishop Gartland Award winner of their outstanding church service to St. Michael’s and for other involvement in church activities outside the boundaries of the Tybee Island parish.

Benedictine honored him with the prized Colonel Stephen S. Koszewski Alumni Award for long and outstanding service to the school. Partially influencing the selection was the institution by the family of the “Cleary Family Saber” award, an engraved saber, presented annually to the senior outgoing commander of the school’s ROTC unit. Bernie himself, his two brothers, and his son were all commanders as seniors in the years 1944, ’46, ’51, and ’82. He and his son, Greg, along with his brother, George were also honored as recipients of the coveted Father Raphael Arthur-Class of 1924 Cup presented to the senior Cadet “Best Exemplifying the BC Ideal.”

Bernie was a better than average athlete. He was a three-year varsity high school basketball player and a starter two of those seasons. As captain of the team in his senior year, he led the Cadets to the City and Region 2 AA titles. He was chosen for state honors by GIAA and played for the South in the Georgia All-Star game. As a walk-on at Georgia Tech, he played a limited freshman schedule. Baseball was another interest. He was highly successful pitcher both for BC and Savannah’s American Legion Post 36. The highlight of his career was pitching and winning the state championship playoff game for Post 36 in 1950.

Golf would become his passion for the rest of his life and he developed quickly into a low handicap player. He would win a few local and area tournaments and counted among his accomplishments four holes-in, a double eagle, and a handful of eagles on par fours. His lowest competitive round was a 5-under-par 67 in a City Tournament over the old General Oglethorpe course (now the Wilmington Island Club). He was a former president of the Savannah Golfers Association and past president of the Mary Calder Golf Club.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Linda Manuel Cleary of Tybee Island; son, Gregory Alan Cleary and his wife Kerry McCarthy Cleary, of Birmingham, AL; their daughters Margaret Driscoll Cleary of Notre Dame, IN and Carolyn Elizabeth Cleary of Birmingham, AL; his daughter Elaine Marie Cleary Stalker and her husband Daniel L. Stalker, of Austin, TX; and beloved pet Brinkley.

Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary service at 6:00 p.m., Friday, January 6, 2017 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Interment will follow in Bonaventure Cemetery.

Remembrances: Benedictine Military School, St. Vincent’s Academy, the Social Apostolate, and St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel

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Dear Linda, We are so sorry for your loss of Bernie. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Thoughts and prayers for the whole family.

- Bobby & Ginger Chenggis, Savannah, GA

Dear Linda & Family, So very sorry for your loss. Bernie will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time.

- Phyllis Saunders & Thresa Whitten, Tybee Island, Ga

Linda and family Bernie will be missed on Tybee and at St. Michael's. What a wonderful man. May God bless you with family, love and friends to help you through this difficult time. You are thought of and kept in our prayers. Kathy and Carl Looper

- Kathy and Carl Looper, Tybee Island, GA

So sorry for your loss, Love Diane

- Diane Silver Berryhill, ,

We are thinking of you with caring thoughts. You will be in our thoughts and prayers for many days to come. We are very sorry to hear of your great loss. Take care, we love you. Maxine & Don

- Maxine & Don Patterson, Savannah, Ga

Worked for many years at Union Camp and in the Exchange Club. Bernie was also loved and admired by all who knew him. We have lost Great man. Savannah will have a big void with his death. We will all miss him.

- Dale Karacostas , Savannah , Ga

Bernie was such an outstanding representative for Union Camp. He led our public relations during difficult times. Bernie was a rock and so important and so valuable and so likeable. Gene & Gale Cartledge

- Gale & Gene Cartledge, Savannah, GA

Our prayers for a good friend and a good man.

- , ,

Bernie was my mother's (Mary Cleary Scott) cousin. So very sorry for your loss. Praying for the whole family and friends.

- Dr. Gloria Scott Griffis, Colfax, Washington,