Ret. Army Col. Edward R. Cleary, of Vero Beach, died Aug. 15, 2009. He was born in Bridgeport, Conn., was raised in Valhalla, N.Y., and lived in Vero Beach for 10 years, coming from Westchester, Pa.
He was a highly decorated 27-year veteran of the Army’s Infantry Division. He graduated from Fordham University at 19, graduated West Point in 1943 and received a master’s degree from Princeton University. He served in World War II in the Pacific, and in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Cleary; daughter, Mary Seton Stevenson, of Alexandria, Va.; stepsons, Craig Campbell and Scott Campbell; stepdaughter, Judy Sarver; and eight grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. at St. Helen’s Catholic Church across from the funeral home. A guest book may be signed at www.seawindsfh.com/obit.php.