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Philip Cleary Obituary
HOUSTON, Texas – Philip James Cleary passed away on Tuesday, the 14th of July 2009, at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, after a hard-fought battle with brain cancer. He was 48.
Philip graduated from Texas A&M University in 1984 with a BBA. He then obtained his MBA from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 1988.
For 26 years, Philip was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, where he last served as Director, International Space Station-NASA Liaison Office-Japan. His accomplishments while at NASA were many, and included earning a 1992 Silver Snoopy Award and a 2001 NASA Exceptional Service Award.
He loved family, travel, photography, and sports. Philip had an immense love of life and he showed this love to all who he encountered. He also had an unwavering sense of humor that never failed. Philip traveled to many places in his lifetime both for work and for pleasure. One of his favorite places was Russia where he met and married the love of his life and best friend, Natalia. She remained by his side loving him every day.
Philip is survived by his wife, Natalia Cleary of Houston, Texas; his mother, Jane Cleary of Urbana; his father and wife, Patrick and Janine Cleary of Champaign; brother and sister-in-law, Nick and Michelene Cleary of Little Elm, Texas; sister and brother-in-law, Cindy and Larry Coloni of Forsyth; sister, Lisa Cleary of Champaign; sister and brother-in-law, Kate and Tony Coronado of Spring Grove; sister-in-law, Svetlana Sergienko and her husband Andrey of St. Petersburg, Russia; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him very much.
The family would like to thank NASA and Philip's colleagues for their continued support during his battle. The family would also like to thank the medical staff at Methodist Hospital for their extraordinary care, and especially Dr. Yvonne Kew for her dedication to Philip's care during the past seven months.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from three o'clock in the afternoon until six o'clock in the evening on Sunday, the 19th of July, in the Library of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
The funeral service is to be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 20th of July, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, where Fr. Antony Paulose, of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, will officiate.
Arrangements in Houston are entrusted to Geo. H. Lewis & Sons - The Funeral Directors Since 1936, 713-789-3005, www.geohlewis.com.
In lieu of usual remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Philip's name be directed to the National Brain Tumor Society, East Coast Office, 124 Watertown Street, Suite 2D, Watertown, MA, 02472.
Memories and Condolences
for Philip Cleary
Laurie Graham
July 20, 2009
Phil was funny, kind, and good. When I think about him, he will always be smiling. My heart goes out to all of Phil's friends and family and especially Natalia. We have all lost a good friend -- it's really hard to believe he's not just on some adventure, returning in a month or two.
Bob and Sasha Pickle
July 20, 2009
We were so sorry to hear about Phil passing away. Please accept our deepest condolences.
He was a great person, kind, smart, with a great sense of humor, life-loving... It's so sad that the best of us leave us so soon. He will forever live in our hearts and memories.
Natalia, if you ever need anything at all, please do not hesitate to give us a call. Again, we're so sorry for your loss.
John Falk
July 19, 2009
What a loss - I had not had contact with Phil since high school but I remember him as someone so smart with a great sense of humor (and in those days, a great head of hair!). I always knew he was destined for greatness - and he certainly achieved it with his marriage, job and many friends he made over the year. My greatest sympathies to his family.
Knysna, South Africa (Thanksgiving 2007)
Marisa and Jason Eickenhorst
July 19, 2009
To Phil's family,
Uncle Phil, as he was known to our family, was a very special person in our lives. Jason and I are deeply saddened by his passing and can't even begin to imagine the great loss and sorrow you all must be feeling. We hope you are comforted by knowing (by reading all of these entries) how much he was loved all over the world. Jason and I are so grateful that we have so many wonderful memories from such a special friend and that we were able to spend 3 magical weeks traveling with Unlce Phil and Natalia in South Africa 2 years ago. Even though they had the worst rain and flooding in 30 years, Phil managed to keep us all laughing throughout the sloshy part of the trip. Thanks for the memories and thanks for your friendship Uncle Phil, we love you and will miss you dearly.
Jason, Marisa and Lucy Eickenhorst
Alan Meltzer
July 18, 2009
To Phil's Family,
Phil was a wonderful colleague and a very warm and kind person. I send you my deepest sympathies on his tragically untimely passing.
Anna Cheltsova
July 18, 2009
To Phil's family and friends, to Phil's wife Natalia
Sending you my deepest condolences with your unbearable grief.
I can't believe it happened. Phil will always remain for me as a happy smiling person, making great jokes and being cheerful to all people around him.
It was a great pleasure to know Phil while working with him in Moscow and while going to Baikanur trips.
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Anna
Dennis and Shelley Doyle
July 17, 2009
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
July 17, 2009
We will miss Phil dearly. He was the best man at our wedding (18 years ago). He is unforgettable.
All the best for the family.
John, Julie, Amber and Zachary Hafermann
Mike Mclain
July 17, 2009
To the Cleary Family
Philip and I first met in a place called Yokota Japan we were just kids then and became friends. We parted ways for a while when we returned back to the states. and after three years low and behold I was lucky to move to Rantoul Il. were his father was stationed.
From that point on I was lucky enough to have one of the Best Friends a person could have.
He lived a life most would like, HE lived it for his family,friends and he never met a stranger.
Phil may god embrace you and let you know we will miss you .
Vickie (McLain) Hurley
July 17, 2009
Phil was my brother Mike's best friend since high school and he was also a good friend to me. On behalf of the McLain family we are deeply sorry for your loss and we will miss Phil deeply. He has always been part of our family though we didn't get to see him much over the years.
David Faske
July 17, 2009
I had never met Philip in person, but thru his cousin, Kevin, I knew a man with a sense of humor, good character, and a heart full of love. He will truly be missed by many, many people. (BTW, I wouldn't expect anything less of a man that grew up at Texas A & M.)
Maria (Frizol) McCarthy
July 17, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sorrowful time. Phil was always such a good friend. He will be missed greatly.
Phil and Natalia at Spasso House (Moscow) July 2007
July 17, 2009
Phil Cleary at Spasso House (Moscow) in July 2007
July 17, 2009
Gail Stanaback
July 17, 2009
My prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
DIANE GRIZZOFFI
July 16, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.
Daniel Heimerdinger
July 16, 2009
I remember the first time I met Phil: I just arrived in Cocoa Beach for a joint Stafford/Utkin meeting. Phil was sitting in a chair, very tired, with a beer in his hand. Phil had just started as our Executive Secretary, and he spent the entire day with our Russian counterparts largely without a translator. He took them shopping for food and to Sears to look at lawn mowers. The day was spent pointing, nodding, and driving; most of us would have been ready for call it quits for the day. But not Phil. It was then that I was introduced to Phil's grace and humor. I had only known him for a few minutes and we were already laughing, talking about sports, and sharing a beer. Then we were off to dinner. That is how I will remember my friend.
Margaret Connolly
July 16, 2009
I was serving in Moscow at the same time Phil was and was attached to the U.S. Embassy. We (other U.S. Embassy personnel) lived in the same hotel (The Volga) as Phil and the other NASA folks. I found him to be such a cordial and considerate individual. Always helpful not just to the NASA staff but the Embassy personnel as well. Phil was one of those people that touches your life for a very short time but one that you remember for the rest of your life. I'm sure he touched many, many lives in the very same way.
Paul Brockman
July 16, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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