Robert B Cleary

CLEARY Robert B. of Weston, formerly of Cambridge, passed away unexpectedly at Cape Cod Hospital on September 16, 2015. Husband of Annie (Tredennick) Cleary. Proud father of Robert B. Cleary, Jr. of Weston, Christin Cleary Cella and her husband Rick of Westborough, Brian Cleary of San Francisco, Meghan Cleary Hamilton and her husband Peter of Dedham, and Andrew Cleary and his wife Emily of Needham. Loving grandfather of Alexandra, Robert III, and Christopher Cleary; Chloe Cella; Henry and Garrett Hamilton; Andrew Jr. and Claiborne Cleary. Son of the late William J. and Eileen (Barry) Cleary, and Helen Sheehan of Cambridge, brother of William J. Cleary, Jr. of Auburndale. Bob was educated at Shady Hill School, Belmont Hill School, and Harvard University. While at Harvard he served as captain of both the men’s varsity ice hockey and baseball teams. During his collegiate hockey career, he led the NCAA in scoring in both his 1957 and 1958 seasons and still holds a career scoring record at Harvard. Robert was a Hearst All Star, a premier invitational tournament for the nation’s top school-aged amateur baseball players, and he played three seasons in the well-known Cape Cod Baseball League. Bob was named two times to the NCAA All-America Ice Hockey Team. He was also two-time recipient of the Walter Brown Award, given annually to the top collegiate hockey player in Greater Boston. Upon graduation he represented the United States in the 1959 World Ice Hockey Championships and subsequently won the gold medal as a member of the first U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey “Miracle” team at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, CA. Bob is member of the US Hockey Hall of Fame, the Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame and the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame reserved for the most elite athletes and highest achievements of their era. As an insurance professional, he was equally as accomplished. In addition to building a successful property and casualty insurance business, he also remained a top agent at The New England Life Insurance Company for more than 50 yearsbecoming one of the few to win the Flagship award for top life insurance sales in multiple years, and culminating into his induction to the New England Financial/Metlife hall of fame. During his career, Bob took great pride in working closely with the community in various capacities, the most notable being the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB). Bob was a grassroots volunteer until he was asked to become a member of the board and ultimately became the Board Chair. He recruited other high-profile individuals and business icons whom also accepted leadership positions and built one of the most stable and impactful non-profit organizations in the City of Boston that serves children in high-risk neighborhoods. Bob served as a Senior Advisory Board Member for BGCB until his passing. In his most recent years, Bob greatly cherished time with his family and friends at the Oyster Harbors Club, in Osterville, MA, Brae Burn Country Club, in W. Newton, MA and the Loxahatchee Club, in Jupiter, FL. Bob was an avid competitor and truly enjoyed the game of golf. Friends would often find Bob watching his grandchildren’s athletic events, watching Meghan coach and watching nearly most any athletic contest at Harvard and Belmont Hill School. Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington Street, (Rt.16) WELLESLEY, on Monday, September 21 at 9:00 A.M. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Julia’s Church, Weston Center, at 10:00 A.M. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting Hours at the Funeral Home on Sunday, September 20 from 4:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M. Interment in Linwood Cemetery, Weston. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations in Bob’s memory to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, 50 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02109, Attn: Beckie Crawford. Online guestbook and directions at gfdoherty.com. George F. Doherty & Sons Wellesley 781-235-4100