At 92 years old, Joseph Sarsfield Cleary passed away peacefully on April 16^th, 2018 in his Orinda home of 58 years. 

Joe was born in Long Beach, CA on March 15^th, 1926 and was proud of his modest upbringing in Oakland, CA. As an artistically gifted young man, he received a scholarship to Oakland California College of Arts and Crafts to begin his formal art education following high school.  He was later recruited right out of the school to begin his professional career. During WWII, Joe answered the call to service by joining the Merchant Marines. While at sea, he kept his fellow sailors enthralled with is artistic skills.   After the war, Joe’s career took off as a commercial illustrator.

Beyond illustrating, Joe developed a successful, internationally commissioned talent, including large-scale sculpture, portraiture, landscapes and figures. Joe’s specialty was his ability to capture the elegant flowing form of the female body. This is captured beautifully in a 30-foot bronze sculpture “Mother River” commissioned by the Port Authority of New Orleans.  To this day, it graces the front of their headquarters, keeping watch over the Mississippi River.

While Joe was known to live life on his own terms, with his amazing wife Marion by his side, he became the proud father of 4 children and 12 grandchildren.  The Cleary house was always known as a local go-to and a social hub for young and old alike, and if Joe was cooking, you could count on eating stir-fry. Joe had a soft-spot for taming local wildlife, and went so far as to invite a critter or two into his home through the years. One fond neighborhood memory is Joe giving his infamous hayrides in the back of his VW pick-up.  A truck filled with bales of hay and boisterous kids always proved to be a good time. Joe was a pillar in the early years of Sleepy Hollow Swim Club -- and was one of the founding fathers that coined the local name “The Legends of Sleepy Hollow”.

In his active years, Joe enjoyed gymnastics in high school, boxing in the Merchant Marines, amateur sports car racing, and as much golf as he could sneak in.

Being a member of the Bohemian Club in the 1960s was one of Joe’s proudest associations.  He and his Monkey Block buddies shared unmatched friendships, and being indoctrinated into the Old Guard was one of the highlights of his life.  Joe accredited much of his professional success to his association with the Bohemian Club.

Joe is proceeded in death by his parents Joseph “Dee” Aloysius Sarsfield and Wilhelmina “Billy” (White) Cleary, by his siblings William, John “Jack”, Mary, and Robert “Bob” Cleary, his grandchild Madison Newlin, son-in-law Eric Topel and most recently, his wife of 68 years Marion (Galvin) Cleary.Joe is survived by his sister Bonnie Porter, his four children and twelve grandchildren.  His children: Erin Newlin and husband Tom; Michael Cleary and wife Julie; Martin Cleary and wife Loretta; and Rinda Topel; and his grandchildren: Courtney, Michael and Bailey Newlin; Kaitlynn, Allyson, Brooke and Morgan Cleary, Sarah and Krista Cleary; and Joseph, Tucker and Grace Topel.

The family will be hosting a “Celebration of Life” memorial for Joe to remember his amazing life.   Joe’s friends and family are invited to join us on Sunday, June 3^rd at 11am at Orinda Country Club.  Lunch and refreshments will be served.

Questions can be directed to: InMemoryOfJoeCleary@gmail.com