Woodworth 'Woody'  Cleak, 84,

was a

              long time pilot

                                                                                                                         

          WOBURN - Woodworth ~Woody" Cleak, 84; a resident   of Woburn for nearly 50 years and a longtime pilot with the Federal Aviation Administration, passed away in Stoneham on Saturday, Nov.13, 2004 after a brief illness. He was the husband of Virginia (Foster) Cleak.

        Born and raised in Cambridge, he was a 1940 graduate of Cambridge Latin High School. He continued his education at Northeastearn University, where he received a degree in Civil Engineering.

       A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a pilot. For a number of years following the war he worked as an instructor of flight and general aviation. He moved to Illinois and flew freight for Slick Airways. After living in  various parts of the country including New Jersey and Ohio where he flew freight, he returned with his family to settle in Woburn in 1955.

     His career with the FAA lasted more than 30 years. After working as an air traffic controller and a flight inspector, he worked at Bedford Air Force Base and later Norwood Airport. He retired from the Regional office in Burlington in 1999.

          In addition to his family, his greatest love in life was flying, and he considered himself extremely fortunate to have a job that was also his passion.

         Mr. Cleak was a member of the Quiet Birdsmen, a flying club that originated during World War I. He also held membership in the George Campbell Post 101 American Legion as well as the Woburn Lodge of Elks.

        He and his wife, Virginia, enjoyed square dancing for a number of years and were members of the Seaside Steppers.

        In addition to his wife, he leaves a son, Duane P. Cleak and his wife, Kathleen, of Woburn, and his grandson, Andrew Cleak of Woburn.

       A funeral service will be held in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main St., Woburn, on Wednesday, Nov.17, at 11:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment is private.

Calling hours at the funeral home are on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Donations may be made in Woody's memory to the Ernest  J. Oakley Scholarship Fund, CIO 13 Lawrence Street, Woburn, MA 01801