JONATHAN CHRISTOPHER CLEARY

Dr. Cleary, I am so grateful for your work in translating Pure Land Buddhist literature. Many of your books were available once for free in Buddhist temples in NYC Chinatown like Grace Gratitude, for which we not so fluent Mandarin students are ever-grateful. Na Mo Amitabha Buddha! May you be in the Pure Land.

As I reread Mr. Cleary's translation of Master Ou-i's commentary on the Amitabha Sutra (which I recite daily), I offer thanks for his work, his teaching and his enlightened mind. Amituofo

As the Summit (NJ) High School's Class of 1965's strictly unofficial class secretary, I announced Chris' passing to the class, and received some nice responses. Here are some that should be added to others: Chris was in my class at Franklin. I think it was third grade I was having some trouble with reading, phonics made no sense to me. Anyway the teacher asked Chris if he could help me. We went to the library and he went immediately to the right hand corner of the library (the smart...

Chris was a brilliant and inspiring classmate at Summit High School, with a sharp, cynical wit which earned him the nickname "El Cyn." I admired his intellect and treasured his friendship before our paths diverged. So it goes.

As a Summit High classmate, I salute Chris as the "real deal" intellectually. I feel I have met few people who are his academic equal - and his accomplishments, as presented in this obituary, do not surprise me in the least. If memory serves correctly, he and I represented SHS at a state competition in Latin at the end of our senior year. I failed to make a dent in the standings, but Chris was named NJ State Champ. He was awarded an awesome trophy at a school assembly, and I still...

I first met Chris - in the 3rd grade at Franklin School in Summit, NJ. He was a nice guy then and stayed that way all the way through high school into our senior year when we all graduated and we all moved on with the rest of our lives. His brother, Tom, in my brother's call was the same way. Every Cleary we knew was nice - and really smart! My fav story our senior year was in June of 1965. A week before graduation, the local paper published all the names of the graduating class -...

Chris was not just my neighbor but a fantastic empathetic conversationalist. We have spent hours talking about software companies of yesteryears and today, the differences and similarities over a cup of tea. He has been instrumental in lending a sympathetic ear to the trials and tribulations of a somewhat young software manager navigating corporate America. Our conversations were always so filled with care, understanding and empathy, and thoughts about how to tackle the future. He made me...

My deep condolence to Chris Cleary! Happy to have chance to know him!

Chris, you were and remain the person I admired most in our college class - both for your honesty and your intellect. You were one of the true visionaries of our time. I am so happy that we stayed friends after graduation and then reconnected in later life, meeting many times in person and over Zoom. I will never forget you.