CAROLINA SHORES — Stuart Cleveland, 82, passed away Thursday, April 27, 2017.
He was born in Mansfield, Penn., Jan. 30, 1935. As a youngster, he fell in love with flying after purchasing a $5 airplane ride in his home town of Mansfield, Penn.
Stu enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in October 1954. He was commissioned as an officer in June 1956, and served 21 years as a pilot and supply officer. His missions included refueling B52 airplanes while flying over Spain and the United States during the Cold War. He attended many training schools including Sea Survival and Jungle Survival. He flew a scouter plane over a section of the Ho Chi Min Trail during the Vietnam War. He retired with the rank of major.
Stu was an avid golfer all his life and hit four “hole-in-one” drives during official league playing.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary (November 2012); several older brothers and sisters; daughter, Kathleen Cleveland Makely (February 2009), who died from cancer; grandson, Army Combat Medic Brain “Doc” Backus, who was KIA in Afghanistan in June 2011.
Surviving are two sons, Tim Cleveland (Ellen) and Stuart Cleveland Jr. (Chong); daughter, Anne Marie Backus (Alan); six grandchildren, Christopher Cleveland (Iris) Stacey Maestas (Joshua), Megan Lynes (Sam), Lauren Ely (Jeff), Paul Backus and Sarah Cleveland; and six great-grandchildren with one on the way.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 4, at Brunswick Funeral Service. A memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m., Friday, May 5, at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brunswick Senior Resources or Amedisys Hospice Care.
Online condolences may be sent to brunswickfuneralservice.com.
