John P. Cleary, Sr.

John P. Cleary, Sr., 74, of Greensburg, passed away Sunday, December 31, 2023, in the AHN Forbes Regional Hospital, Monroeville. He was born March 6, 1949, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late James and Regina (Litz) Cleary.  

John was a veteran having served with the US Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. Prior to his retirement John was a bargeman for the US Steel Co.  He was a member of the St. Bruno’s Church in South Greensburg. John was an avid bowler and member of the Monday Men’s Senior League at Main Bowl in Greensburg. He also enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Irwin Golf League, and the Hill Top Social Club (South Side Gang).  

John’s family was the most important thing to him, and he was their go-to-guy.  He enjoyed family game nights, vacations, and get-togethers.  John was a lifelong Pittsburgh Pirates fan and coached his children in baseball.  He enjoyed working out at the Aerobics Center at Lynch Field. John liked meeting and talking with new people, enjoyed ballroom dancing to playing the guitar to painting, John liked to try new things and was always up for an adventure.  He also enjoyed gardening, playing video games, collecting vintage Lionel trains, and riding roller coasters (the bigger & faster, the better). John made zesty Ham BBQs from his own secret recipe, placed in the family’s annual rib cook-off multiple years, and brewed his own beer.  He loved pizza and a cold Busch beer, and was the life of the party and always ready with a quick joke.

In addition to his parents John was predeceased by a sister Kathleen Cleary; and a sister-in-law Linda Surrec.  

He is survived by his loving wife Carol (Surrec) Cleary; a daughter Julia Sefcheck and husband Jeffery, of Scottdale; a son John P. Cleary, Jr., of Glenshaw; sisters, MaryAnn Cronauer and husband Donald of Napierville ILL., and Lynn Topka and husband Willliam, of Bethal Park; brothers, James Cleary and wife Gail, of Ocala FL., Lee Cleary and wife Janet of Bethal Park, and Wayne Cleary and wife Barbara of Center Twp.; a brother-in-law John Surrec of Jeannette; a sister-in-law Denise Lavelle of Greensburg; numerous special nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews; and his grand pups Mollie, George, and Linus.  

Friends will be received 4 to 7pm Thursday in the John V. Graziano Funeral Home Inc., 228 North 2nd St. Jeannette.  A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:00am Friday in the Sacred Heart Church with Fr. Job Foote, OSB, as celebrant.  Interment with military honors accorded by the Jeannette Combined Veterans will follow in the Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Westmoreland County Toys for Tots, jeannette-pa.toysfortots.org, 2419 Cypress Dr., Greensburg Pa, 15601, or the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association,  https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1729/18/form-giving.aspx?sid=1729&gid=2&pgid=4053&cid=9073&appealcode=2400UPGW1