PJ Cleary remembered by Otterbein community

PJ Cleary was remembered Monday by members of the Otterbein community as an "outgoing and fun-loving individual."

Cleary died Saturday morning from injuries sustained in a head-on car crash when he was travelling southbound on Pickerington Road and struck a northbound motorist.

Bob Gatti, vice president for student affairs released the following statement Monday morning: "We are all saddened by the tragic loss of Patrick "PJ" Cleary. He was an Allied Health major, member of the 2013 Football team and an active in Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. A moment of silence was held at the start of last Saturday's men's basketball game as friends, former teammates and fraternity brothers took a moment to remember PJ."

The president of Club, Andrew Lingrel, said "On behalf of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity we give our condolences to the Cleary family and the Birney family. PJ was more than a friend, he was family. Staunch friends at all hazards lives on forever."

Ryne Frankenbery, a former student at Otterbein and member of Club said "Whatever PJ had a passion for, he was doing it, when he had his mind set on what he wanted to do, he would do it at whatever the cost. He didn't think about himself first he always did what he needed to do for everyone else."

Scott Tomilson, a senior sports management major and member of Club said "It was definitely an honor being PJ's big [brother], it was one of the highlights of my greek life career. If you knew PJ he always had a smile on his face. It was impossible to be sad around PJ, he was just the most outgoing and fun-loving individual."

Ben Schwarz, director of Greek Life at Otterbein said in an email on behalf of the greek community that "the unexpected loss of a young man like PJ always leaves us hurt and wishing we had more time. Our hearts go out to PJ's family and the Otterbein community, especially his friends on the football team and his brothers in Pi Kappa Phi."

There will be a memorial service in the Chapel on Tuesday, Feb. 24th at 5:15 pm. All are welcome to attend.

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