Father Dennis W. Cleary, M.M.

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Father Dennis W. Cleary, M.M., who served in Venezuela for 16 years, died Sept. 24 at Beechwood Continuing Care Facility in Getzville. He was 73.

Father Cleary was a missioner in Venezuela, 1977-1993. He served as regional superior of the Venezuela Region for four years, beginning in 1989.

He served two terms as Maryknoll regional superior for the United States, beginning in 1997, and was director of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Mission Education and Promotion Department, and publisher of Maryknoll and Revista Maryknoll magazines.

He also served in China, Korea and Hong Kong as well as in Florida, Texas and Buffalo.

Born in Buffalo, he entered Maryknoll in 1972, made his final vows in 1977 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1977.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. John Vianney Seminary, Buffalo; and a master’s of divinity and a master’s in theology, both from Maryknoll.

His brothers, Gary, Timothy, Ron and Bradley, survive him.

His body was donated to the University at Buffalo's Anatomical Donation Program for medical research. Memorial Masses were celebrated Oct. 28 in Queen of Apostles Chapel at Maryknoll in Ossining and Nov. 6 at St. Francis of Assisi, Tonawanda.

Father Dennis W. Cleary, M.M.