| Needham High School Class of 1964 |
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With several Boston Marathons behind him, Gary P. Clancy knew all about hitting a hill deep into a long race. So when he was diagnosed with colon cancer in his early 50s, Mr. Clancy did what any long-distance runner does when he encounters that invisible wall of exhaustion.
''He was a fighter. He never gave up in his battle with cancer," said his wife, Maryann of Sherborn. ''He would go for a 5-mile run and then go in for chemo -- regularly."
Mr. Clancy, a systems manager for NStar, died Thursday at his home. He was 59.
Born in Boston and raised in Needham, he graduated from Needham High School in 1964, attended Notre Dame, and graduated from Emerson College, where he studied communications. He worked as an announcer and disc jockey at radio stations in Fall River, Marlborough, and Newton, where he was manager at WNTN, his wife said.
Mr. Clancy then switched careers and worked as a computer programmer, first for Bank Boston, then for Boston Edison, which became NStar.
His twin passions in life, though, were music and running. Mr. Clancy ran the Boston Marathon 11 times -- ''a qualified runner," his wife noted -- and the New York Marathon twice.
Perhaps owing to his early years spinning records -- these were the days before CDs -- Mr. Clancy would write up playlists of songs that supporters could listen to while he ran each marathon. Each tune would have significance for a particular part of the course.
He drew on the same technique to inspire young athletes. Mr. Clancy was active with the Dover-Sherborn Youth Lacrosse program and would create posters that incorporated phrases from some of his favorite songs -- taking a snippet from U2 (''I still haven't found what I'm looking for") or John Lennon (''You may say I'm a dreamer").
Music was always part of his social life, too, his wife said, and he regularly went to rock concerts long after he became an elder statesman in the audience.
''We were well into our 40s once when he took me and another couple to see Echo and the Bunnymen," she said. ''I don't think there was a year when he didn't have tickets for some rock concert or another."
In addition to his wife, Mr. Clancy leaves a son, Ian.
A funeral service will be held today at 11 a.m. in the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators in Framingham.
(From Eaton Funeral Home)
Gary P. Clancy of Sherborn died on Thursday, December 15 at his home. He was 59 years old. Born in Boston, Gary was raised in Needham and was a graduate of Needham High School Class of 1964. He attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated from Emerson College. He worked as a radio announcer at several radio stations in the Boston area before working for Bank Boston in information systems. For the last 20 years, Mr. Clancy worked for NSTAR as a systems manager. An avid runner, he ran the Boston Marathon 11 times and the New York Marathon 2 times. He loved all sports. Mr. Clancy was very active with the Dover Sherborn Youth Lacrosse program. The beloved husband of Maryann (Aghaian), he was the loving father of Ian R. Clancy of Sherborn. The brother of Richard P. of Eastham, Glen R. of Wilton CT and Kyle Harcourt of Medfield he is also survived by several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held at the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, 38 Franklin St. Framingham on Monday December 19th at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Avenue Needham on Sunday from 3-7 PM. Interment at Pine Hill Cemetery in Sherborn. In lieu of flowers donations in Gary’s name may be made to the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, 38 Franklin St. Framingham MA 01702 or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St. Framingham MA 01701.
Boston Globe, December 16, 2005
59, of Sherborn, December 15, 2005. Beloved husband of Maryann (Aghaian). Loving father of Ian R. Clancy of Sherborn. Brother of Richard P. of Eastham, Glen R. of Wilton CT and Kyle Harcourt of Medfield. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held at the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, 38 Franklin St., Framingham on Monday December 19th at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Avenue, NEEDHAM on Sunday from 3-7 PM. Interment at Pine Hill Cemetery in Sherborn. In lieu of flowers donations in Gary's name may be made to the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, 38 Franklin St., Framingham, MA 01702 or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Late graduate Needham High School Class of 1964 and Emerson College. Systems Manager for NSTAR for 20 years. For obit, directions or to send a message of condolence Eaton Funeral Home Obituaries Eaton Funeral Home 781-444-0201.
Needham Times Online, Thursday, December 22, 2005, Direct Link to Times Article
Gary P. Clancy of Sherborn died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, at his home. He was 59.
Born in Boston, Mr. Clancy was raised in Needham and was a graduate of Needham High School, Class of 1964. He attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated from Emerson College.
He had been employed as a radio announcer at several radio stations in the Boston area before going to work for BankBoston in information systems. For the last 20 years, Mr. Clancy worked for NSTAR as a systems manager.
An avid runner, he ran the Boston Marathon 11 times and the New York Marathon two times. He loved all sports and was active with the Dover-Sherborn Youth Lacrosse program.
He leaves his wife, Maryann (Aghaian) Clancy; his son, Ian R. Clancy of Sherborn; his siblings, Richard P. of Eastham, Glen R. of Wilton, Conn., and Kyle Harcourt of Medfield; and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 19, at the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators in Framingham.
Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery in Sherborn.
Memorial donations may be made to the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, 38 Franklin St., Framingham, MA 01702; or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701.
Arrangements were made by Eaton Funeral Home of Needham.
It is with a heavy heart that I forward this message on from Maryann Clancy.
Its interesting, that as I have gone through life I have gained many friends, but its the friends from my early years, grammar through high school, that seem to be lasting. You might not see someone for 20 years and seemingly without missing a beat your relationship is the same as it was 50 years ago. I know we probably all feel this way but......Gary was special to Paul and I, I believe he took Paul's name as his Confirmation name ( and Walter took mine). In 3rd or 4th grade our bedroom walls were full of Gary's hand drawn pictures of the Boston Bruins in action, he was quite an artist. The predecessor of todays posters. He was smooth on the Little League A's as our shortstop playing with Paul and I, Phil Coburn and Jay Tracy. I think he was the first one in our class to have a jump shot (4th grade) in basketball (in those days they were one and 2 hand set shots). He could skate with great speed, but, as I recall, for the most part he was an "ankle skater." In high school he only played football one year, junior year? I will never forget the catch he made on a punt, when at full speed running up the field he caught the ball on his shoe tops, avoided several tacklers and went for a large gain ( I wish I could tell you he scored a TD).
Well those are some of my memories....
Gary will be waked at Eaton's Funeral home in Needham on Sunday from 3:00 to 7:00 PM A service will be held for him on Monday at 11:00 at the Armenian Church of the Holy Translator in Framingham (near the Registry).
God Bless
It is with deep sadness that I wanted to let you know that Gary died this morning. He tried so hard for so long to overcome this horrific disease. He never gave up and kept going until his very last breath. Ian and I are so grateful to you all and have been so moved by having such caring and loving friends. He was a wonderful father to Ian and a loving partner for over 33 years. I can't imagine spending our future without him in our lives. The emptiness is almost unbearable and I can only pray that he is in a better place. Thank you all so much for your kindness, love and prayers.
Maryann & Ian
A beautiful church ceremony, church was full for Gary. Many of us went back to the Primavera Restaurant in Millis where Maryann had set up a private room ( I should mention that Maryann, I believe last year ' 04, was the # 1 Sales Associate for Century 21 in New England). I can understand why, she is a warm and caring person, persevering with a beautiful smile. Someone you just instantly like. Both she and Ian (20 yrs) showed great strength.
Ian read a heart rendering poem at the service about the relationship he and his dad had it seemed so close that we speculated he may have written it. He also, at the end of the luncheon, got up and thanked everyone for coming, "how much it meant to he and his mom." As a 20 year old and under the circumstances I thought that to be quite courageous.
Maryann had set this up so that people could tell stories about their relationship with Gary, cathartic. Paul Robey and Roly West spoke of our early years with Clance, Little League and Pony League, much laughter from their comments. Gary's uncle spoke about the disappointment Gary felt after being turned down when interviewing for the Boston Bruins radio color commentator position (70's?) and then the most revealing, from the 4 staff people from NStar (Formerly Boston Edison) who talked about his clear decision making, acute communication style and generally a wonderful person to work for who had people clamoring to get into his department and people refusing promotion to stay with him. His 10 years of coaching youth lacrosse and as one parent said; " he had a genuine love for each one of the kids." I should not forget to mention his prolific running, rain or shine, all seasons, 10-15 (?) marathons.
So...a wonderful legacy left behind, but way to early..... God Bless Gary
Several have asked for Maryann's address to send her a card: 58 North Main St. Sherborn, MA 01770.
Phil - Well done. Forgive me but I think your memory has dulled over the years. Clance played all 4 years of football. Remember the no interference call in the Milton game and the circus catch on the back line of the end zone. He should have stayed with the hockey. I remember more of a running style, then "ankle". He truly was a great athlete. He was ahead of his time, eating healthy...wheat germ was sprinkled on all food groups. He had a great "printing style" he printed like the old draftsmen, before computation...this was in the 3rd grade! You and I, Steve Merriam, Johnny Robinson (etc.) all tried to imitate his style, with some success, I might add. Because of him our papers were a lot neater.
In the later years I always looked forward to the Boston Marathon. He loved the "stats" and kept me posted on Clancy Road P. R.'s (personal records). His best time in the Boston, according to my files was 3:09:52 in 1987, a 7:14 min. per mile. A week or 2 before the Marathon I would receive the coveted "projected splits". This written exercise of his would tell you the approximate time he would be reaching a particular landmark or location...
EDT Mile
Where Cum time Aver. mile Song/singer
1:53 16 Pillor House 1:53:10 7:04
"Street fightin' Man"(Stones)
2:00 17 Newt/W.Hsp 2:00:20 7:04
"Whip it" (Devo)
As you know we would hustle up to the Pillor House in time to see him run by, usually on time!
Baseball Trivia: 100 questions to be answered before opening day, 1986. 1987 Contest sample...48. What right-hander whiffed 15 Bosox at Griffith Stadium in the 1960 opener? Proud to say Glen Clancy and I tied for 1st, 62 pts. in the inaugural '86 contest. In the next contest, World Series Edition '86, Roly West ( my Seinfeld-NEWMAN!) edged me out of 9th place by 4 points!!
My lunches with Gary in the last couple of years will never be forgotten. He would tell you what was going on with his health and how he was handling it, but never was there a hint of "why me". I always came away feeling positive and refreshed, inspired is probably the right word. I am so glad you and I had the opportunity to visit with him in late September.
A great guy has left us, he will always be remembered.
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