CLEARY – John Edward
Born Sunday March 30, 1952. Passed away Monday July 07, 2025.
Passed away peacefully on 7 July 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Our treasured Husband, Dad, and ‘Johnpa’ — dearly loved by his wife, Merilyn;
his children and their partners, Tim and Alice, Ange and Jack, Melissa and Nathan; and his grandchildren, Hamish, Lily, Ted, Archie, and Elodie.
Time may pass and fade away,
but memories of you will always stay.
Funeral notice
Monday July 14, 2025 - 11:00 am
William Sheahan Funerals Chapel, cnr High Street & Murradoc Road, Drysdale
Get directionsFamily and friends are invited to attend a Service of Celebration
for the life of Mr John Edward Cleary,
to be held in our Chapel, cnr High St & Murradoc Rd,
Drysdale on MONDAY (July 14, 2025)
commencing at 11am.
Private Cremation.
To view John’s service please see link below:
View serviceTributes
Deepest sympathy to Merilyn and family at this sad time. Loving memories of John, especially over the years holidaying at Robinvale. A true gentleman now at rest. What a beautiful service.
Love from : Pam & Colin Sefton, Joy Stiff, Carmel Bayley and Marita & Doc.Hearn. RIP 💕💕July 14, 2025 1:38 pm
What an amazing tribute to a wonderful man.
John you are one in a million. Loved by so many.
We will miss your kindness, love and friendship.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful family at this sad time.
Always in our hearts.
Rest in peace, John
With love,
Nanna Ray and Nette xoxoxJuly 14, 2025 1:10 pm
Dear Merilyn and Family! I am so sorry for the passing of John. My thoughts and prayers are with you all! He will be sadly missed! My memories of John will never leave me. I watched the entire service online and it was a great tribute to John's life! If you ever need any help at all reach out!! My sincere condolences! Tony Askwith
July 14, 2025 12:37 pm
A wonderful celebration of John's life in words and images.
A very moving and emotional service.
July 14, 2025 12:29 pm
Tim,
My sincere condolences to you and the whole family.
Very sad news to hear.
That trusty Mitsubishi Lancer John sold me back in '96 is still going strong(ish)...
Plenty of fond memories mate.Rest In Peace John.
July 14, 2025 10:13 am
Thoughts and prayers are with you.💙
July 13, 2025 6:10 pm
Merrilyn and family.
I have many memories of John’s kindness and sense of humour over many years.
He gently guided me to choose the right colour and options when I bought my brand new Magna.
I have many memories of stock taking and cleaning at Ararat Mitsubishi while I was studying.Thank you John for your thoughtfulness and condolences to Merrilyn and your family.
Cecilia Fresle
July 12, 2025 8:12 pm
Our sympathy to Merilyn, Tim, Ange, Liss and families, on the passing of your husband, Dad and grandfather. Our friendship extends beyond fifty years. So many memories of marriages, births of our children , holidays, family events and just good fun. So fortunate to have been part of his life.
With love
Pete and Teresa Gemmola and familyJuly 12, 2025 2:39 pm
We are so sorry that we cannot be there to honour you. The last time we spoke, just before we left, you were so positive. Thats the John we will remember. We remember and value your contribution to all your friends and family. We remember a man who would be always there to lend a hand, no matter what. A caring and greatly cared for gentleman who will be sadly missed.
Neil and Lynne FlemingJuly 12, 2025 2:21 pm
Our condolences to you Merilyn & your families.. tho we weren’t close friends our daughters Sal & Melissa have been since school days in Ararat… RIP John
Steve & Val BryantJuly 12, 2025 8:48 am
Our very dear friend Merry
How very blessed we all are to have had such a wonderful long time friend in John. So many wonderful memories, amazing fun times together, not to mention all the mischief we got up to.
John was such a kind, loving thoughtful man, with a cheeky sense of humour. We feel deeply honoured to have had him as a close friend for so many years.
Our love and friendship will go on Merry.
In our hearts forever
John and Ness
July 11, 2025 6:09 pm
It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to our beloved John, affectionately known as MacGyver.
John truly earned his nickname; there was nothing he couldn't fix. His boundless patience and ingenuity were an inspiration to us all, both on the golf course and in life.
More than just our resident problem-solver, John was a legend of our golf club and a truly legendary person. He touched countless lives with his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering positivity. He was an inspiration to everyone who knew him, a beacon of integrity and good humor.
John will be greatly missed by all he touched. As we mourn, let's also celebrate the incredible legacy he leaves behind. We'll forever cherish the laughter, the lessons, and the countless ways he enriched our lives.
Rest in peace, John. Our MacGyver. Gone but never forgotten.
July 11, 2025 5:05 pm
Remembering John "MacGyver"
It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to our beloved John, affectionately known as MacGyver.John truly earned his nickname; there was nothing he couldn't fix. His boundless patience and ingenuity were an inspiration to us all, both on the golf course and in life.
More than just our resident problem-solver, John was a legend of our golf club and a truly legendary person. He touched countless lives with his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering positivity. He was an inspiration to everyone who knew him, a beacon of integrity and good humor.
John will be greatly missed by all he touched. As we mourn, let's also celebrate the incredible legacy he leaves behind. We'll forever cherish the laughter, the lessons, and the countless ways he enriched our lives.
Rest in peace, John. Our MacGyver. Gone but never forgotten.
July 11, 2025 5:04 pm
Deepest sympathy to Merilyn and family on the loss of your husband,father and grandfather.
We have fond memories of the old days in Ballarat and Ararat. Our thoughts are with you all during this sad time.
Helen and Andrew Wood, Mildura.July 11, 2025 4:32 pm
Thanks John. You made me feel welcome and you were an outstanding member of our club. Your hard work and dedication is legendary and your contribution will be dearly missed.
On top of all this, you were a great bloke and a dear mate. I will miss your cheery smile and will remember you always.July 11, 2025 11:57 am
Being relative "newbies" to the club, we unfortunately only knew John for the last couple of years, but during this time we witnessed how much pride and effort he put into everything he did for the club. He will be truly missed! Not just for everything he did for the club (thank you Merilyn for lending him out all these years) but for the friend and true gentleman he was.
Our hearts are with you all. John will be treasured in our memories forever.July 11, 2025 11:09 am
I recall 'recruiting' John when he moved to Harvey Rd. We played often, he joined the maint crew on Wed am and when the then Mr Fixit (Gordon Griffiths) began to tire, John took over the reigns and embellished himself into club folk lore. No bells & whistles, just grit, grin & heaps of initiative & hard yacka. His work in helping consolidate the move across the road is now legendary. Not only his ability to think strategically ie considering longer term issue. But also grasping the immediate issues be it irrigation, faulty motors, even filling in a foursome should some one fail to turn up. His generous nature, never say it cant be addressed, will sadly be irreplacable. Careys shed & lake are but a mere testament to an outstanding club man, who gave his all & will never be forgotton.
July 10, 2025 9:25 pm
A true gentleman, with the knowledge and willingness to go out of his way to help anyone anytime. Sad to lose one of the good ones. The golf club wouldn’t be where we are with you. You will be sadly missed..
July 10, 2025 8:07 pm
A true gentleman whose enthusiasm around the golf club was inspiring. I only knew John for a relatively short time, but I will always remember him a a great bloke.
July 10, 2025 7:49 pm
My deepest empathy Merilyn and family on the passing of John. A loving husband, father, inlaw, and grand father. And certainly a gentle man to all who knew him. His suffering has now left him for the peace of eternal calm.
Cathy McAdie AraratJuly 10, 2025 7:06 pm
Dear John Pa,
You are irreplaceable in our hearts, and an absolute legend of our club.
The indelible mark of your great legacy will live on forever.FYI John - The committee would have rejected your application for “extended leave of absence up north”, but fate sadly denied our wish.
We love & will honour you forever John.
The members of St Leonards Golf Club.
July 10, 2025 5:51 pm
