Thomas Joseph Cleary (20 Nov 1943 - 7 Jul 2014)

In loving tribute in memory of the late Thomas Joseph Cleary who sadly passed away on Monday 7th July 2014 aged 70 years following a battle with cancer.
Thomas lived and passed in the town of Oldbury, West Midlands and had the comfort of his wife Annie, children Lilian, Thomas, Arlene, Martine and Carl along with grandchildren Courtney and Callum, son-in-law's Freddie and Glen and brother-in-law Bobby at his side when he passed.
Thomas was born to parents Patrick and Mary Cleary in the town of Ballygoland, Northern Ireland and had eleven brothers and sisters: Gerrard, Annie, Jim, Eddie, Joseph, Patrick, Amelia, Mary, Bernard, Martin and Rosaline.
Thomas battled with Diabetes all his adult life but did not let this deter him and truly lived his life to the full. Thomas and Annie married in 1965 and had five children: Lilian, Thomas, Arlene, Martine and Carl. The couple came to live in England in September 1969 where they settled in the Sandwell area and raised their family. Thomas continued to make regular visits to the country he loved, Ireland to spend time with his friends and family living there.
As well as his five children, Thomas proudly leaves a wonderful legacy of nineteen beautiful grandchildren: Liam, Cassie, Anna, Ian, Kieran, Courtney, Dylan, Callum, Jade, Ritson, Lewis, Thomas, Cerys, Samuel, Naimh, Molly, Martin, Caoimhe and Braiden.
Thomas' proud legacy also includes six beautiful great-grandchildren: Jaiden, Finley, Roxie, Torie, Sienna and Keegan.
Thomas' burial service is on Wednesday 23rd July at 11.30am, Sandwell Valley Crematorium Chapel, Newton Road, West Bromwich, B71 3SX and he will be laid to rest at 1.00pm, Thimblemill Cemetery, Thimblemill Road, Oldbury, B67 5QP. The celebration of Thomas' life will continue from 2.00pm at the Manchester Stores Public House, Churchbridge, Oldbury, B69 2AS and friends are welcome to join the family in the celebration. Thomas will be laid to rest with his brother, Bernard, who sadly passed away on Sunday 29th June, 2014 and was buried on Tuesday 8th July, 2014.
Thomas' Pallbearer's are: Thomas Cleary, Freddie Sayers, Ian Hughes, Liam Sayers, Robert Craig, William Craig, Mark Cleary, Patrick Stuart, Glen Crofts, Martin Hamer, Spencer Eaton, Daniel Edwards, Wayne Richardson, Darren Wood, Douglas Bell and Brendan McIlhennon.
Thomas is interned at the Co-operative Funeral Home, 24-26 Birmingham Street, Oldbury, B69 4DS. Friends and family are welcome to see Thomas ad should please contact the family prior to doing so.
The Cleary family wish to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the close family and friends who have been a tremendous source of support and comfort during this incredibly difficult time. Annie would particularly like to thank Bobby Craig, her brother for his unwavering love and care during the weeks leading up to Thomas’ passing and in the sad days following this.

The Life That I Have

The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have is yours.
The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.
A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause.
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.

The three words chosen by his family which best sum Thomas up are: Hero, Brave and Adored

Sleep in peaceful slumber Thomas, Good Night and God bless xx