Harold "Hap" John Cleary Jr.

Harold John Cleary Jr., 83, of Prospect passed away peacefully at Waterbury Hospital on Saturday, November 26, 2022.  Hap was the loving husband of Ellen Keating-Cleary for 44 wonderful years. Born March 15, 1939 in Waterbury CT, Hap was the only son of the late Dr. Harold Cleary Sr. and Mary (Eustace) Cleary.

Hap was an architectural designer for United Technologies, Yale University and his own business “Venture”.  He attended Rhode Island School of Design before going out to the business world.  Hap totally renovated the family home and many, many other homes of friends and relatives.  Home improvement design was not only Hap’s career but because he enjoyed it so much, he considered it a hobby as well.

Hap and Ellen celebrated 44 years of marriage in November.  They met over their common interest in community theater.   They raised their sons Michael and Kevin in Prospect in the home that Hap completely redesigned and renovated.  Their house was the hosting place for family get togethers and barbecues with friends by the pool.  Hap volunteered his time and talents to Prospect Little League where life long friends were made.  Summer vacations to North Carolina and time at the pool with family and friends brought many lasting and joyous memories for the Cleary family.  More than anything Hap loved spending time with his family. His grandchildren were the light of his life.  Papa Hap or Grampa as they called him, always had a smile for his little loves.

Left to cherish Hap’s love and memory besides his loving wife Ellen are his sons Harold Cleary III of Portland Maine, Kevin Cleary and his wife Sarah Raymunt Cleary of Boston Massachusetts and Michael F. Cleary and his wife Maria Soto-Cleary of Beacon Falls CT.  He also leaves his cherished grandchildren Emily, Juliana, Tullah and Michael J. Cleary as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, Hap was predeceased by his sisters Maryann Shukaitis, Judy Lipsett and Alice Dowdell.

Arrangements:  Funeral service Friday December 2, 2022 at 12:00 PM at Prospect Memorial/ The Palmerie Family Funeral Home, 72 Waterbury Rd., Prospect.  Burial will immediately follow at Carrington Cemetery, Rainbow Rd., Bethany.  Friends and family are invited to visit with Hap’s family on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. 

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