Cleary clearly fortunate

Page 2 of 2 -- "They had asked me if I would be interested in the A.D. job and thought what would I want that for," said Cleary. "I started thinking if I stopped coaching and didn't have something dealing with young people I would have withdrawals. Fortunately they asked me if I would like to be the A.D.

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"I enjoyed it because I was dealing with all the teams - boys and girls. That was fun because no matter what sport you play sports are sports. You get things out of it and to be part of it I thoroughly enjoyed it."

Since retiring in 2001, Cleary has become a full-time grandparent of four grandchildren: Aidan 9, Liam 7, Quinn 4, and Cole, 2.

"They used to call me A.D. and now they call me D.D. - Designated Driver - driving my grandsons all over the place," said Cleary. "I'm all over the place with them. I have been to more rinks and now it's baseball season. They love hockey and baseball. I love it, love watching them and it's fun."

Cleary resides in Auburndale, Mass., with his wife of 44 years, Jo. They have two daughters Paula, who is married and lives in Connecticut, Kate, who is an interior decorator, and a son, Bill III, who has the four grandchildren, and has taken over the family insurance business (Cleary Insurance, Inc.). Cleary started the business in 1968 and ran while he was coaching at Harvard.

"I turned my own insurance business over to my son and I still go in there sometimes," said Cleary. "He has done an unbelievable job and has quadrupled the size of the agency."

Cleary is loving life since his retirement and he is busy as ever.

"I skated up until this year every Sunday morning at Harvard," said Cleary. "My wife said you are sixty-nine years old, what are you doing. I said put me in a box so I can't do it. I stay busy. I'm always on the go and I am pooped when I hit the hay."

If you are interested in finding out where a New England Sports Legend is these days, please e-mail Jon Goode at jgoode@lowellspinners.com