Thomas Edward Cleaver Sr.

Thomas (Tom) Edward Cleaver Sr. of Rockledge, Florida passed away
peacefully on Tuesday, May 20th at Vista Hospice House in Rockledge Florida.
Tom was born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania on 07/14/1929 to Edward and
Helen Cleaver. As a youngster he enjoyed fishing, playing sports, and
exploring the woods surrounding his home. It was there that he met the love
of his life and future wife, Rosalie Savina.
Forever a patriot, Tom attempted to enlist in the Army during World War II
but was discovered to be underage and sent home. Undeterred, he enlisted
as soon as he turned 18, beginning a lifelong dedication to public service. He
was assigned to a telecommunications unit and served as a lineman running
overwater cables at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. In 1948, he was stationed in
Stuttgart, Germany, where he served for over two years as a cryptographer
at the dawn of the Cold War, ultimately becoming head of his unit.
He returned to the states and married his high school sweetheart, Rosie, in
1951. They loved each other truly and deeply and built a rich and beautiful
life together, ultimately relocating to Maryland and raising four children:
Debra, Kenneth, Thomas Jr and Patricia.
Tom continued his civil service career with distinction. He worked as a
cryptographer for the US Army at Fort Meade and later held ascending
Human Resources positions across several government agencies, including
the DIA, OSS, CIA, and the Department of Defense. He retired in 1985 after a
remarkable career dedicated to the nation he loved.
Tom was a man of many passions. He was an avid fisherman, boater, hunter,
reader, coin collector and golfer. Most of all, Tom loved to be surrounded by
his family. He fondly recalls having the opportunity to coach his boys in
football when they were young and was so proud of his two quarterbacks. As
his kids grew and had families of their own, he recalled how much he loved
for his children and grandchildren to gather at his home in Edgewater where
the days were spent throwing the football around in the yard, fishing and
laughing. He loved to cook for his family and often joked that they cleaned
him out of crabs.
In 1990, he and Rosalie relocated to Florida. A devout Catholic and lifelong
learner, Thomas went back to school later in life graduating from Madison
University in Gulf Port, Mississippi with a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Theology.
After 56 wonderful years together, Rosalie passed in 2007.
In 2012, he was given the rare gift of a second great love in Anna May Nicol.
Having known each other for decades, their love blossomed into a deep
companionship and lasting joy. They shared a joyous life together for nearly
14 years made rich by their shared love of golf, playing cards, traveling, and
socializing with their many friends.
Tom is preceded in death by his first wife, Rosalie, and grandson, Dean
Walker, and survived by his second wife, Anna May; four children: Debra
Walker, Kenneth Cleaver, Tom Cleaver Jr., and Patricia (Steve) Howard; 10
grandchildren: Nicole, Patrick (Cat) Walker, Chris Walker; Ryan Cleaver,
Shannon Cleaver, Kenneth Cleaver Jr., Thomas (Leigh) Cleaver III, Josh
(Christine) Howard, and Stephanie (Matt) Moorefield; 12 great grandchildren;
and four stepchildren: Mark, Michael, Marcia and Michelle, and their families.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 1st, at Forest Hills Funeral Home in
Palm City, Florida from 5:15 – 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow
on Monday, June 2nd, at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Palm City Fla
at 10:00 AM, with interment immediately afterward at Forest Hill Memorial Park
Cemetery. All are welcome to attend.