On Thursday, December 1, 2022, Thornton John “Skip” Cleaver Jr. passed away at his home in Keene, NH. He was born to Electa Mae Curry Cleaver and Thornton John Cleaver Sr. in Grampian, PA on September 26, 1944. He was 78 years old. He is survived by a large and loving family and died knowing he was loved by many relatives and friends. He brought joy and light to his surroundings and will be sorely missed.

Skip was a gentle soul and a fierce advocate for social justice. Part of his legacy includes three terms in the New Hampshire State House representing Hillsborough 35 and Nashua's Ward 8 from 2016 to 2021 where he served on the House Transportation Committee. He also served on the City of Nashua Board of Aldermen from 2019 to 2021.

Skip grew up in central Pennsylvania and was a Marine Corps veteran. He received a BS in Political Science and History and an MBA from Rivier University. Skip joined the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller where he worked at Boston Logan Tower and Approach Control. After the PATCO strike, he worked for Nashua Corporation where he eventually headed the International Copier Group. Skip’s career included teaching high school and special education, coaching track, cross-country, and wrestling. He was an adjunct professor of business and social studies at Southern NH University and Franklin Pierce. Skip wrote a weekly article in the Nashua Telegraph called the Runner’s Journal from 1995 through 2004 and was the Managing Editor for an online running magazine before retiring in early 2016 to run for State Representative.

Skip was a lifelong athlete. He wrestled and played football on a scholarship for the University of Maryland. He was a long distance runner and completed 43 full marathons, hundreds of road races, and 134 mountain races, including 27 up Mount Washington. Skip was a charter member of the Gate City Striders Running Club in NH. He served several terms as Club President and was elected to the Gate City Striders Hall of Fame. One of the last marathons he ran was the 2013 Boston Marathon with his daughter, Traci.

Skip is survived by four special and talented children who he was very proud of; Richard Morin of Birmingham, AL, Aaron Curry Cleaver of Newmarket, NH, Leslie Cleaver Wood and husband Chris, of Kansas City, MO, and Traci Joy and partner Kirk Murphy, who lived with her dad in Keene, NH. Skip has six beautiful grandchildren; Karsten Cleaver-Stigum, Imogen Cleaver-Stigum, Elise Cleaver-Stigum, Dean Wood, and Max and Robert Morin. He has three loving sisters; Barbara Irwin and husband Benny, Linda Linn and husband Keith, and Sherrie Kitko and husband Dave. Skip also had a strong connection with his large network of cousins.

In Skip’s honor, please vote for and support candidates who will champion for healthcare reform and labor unions. If you’d like to make a monetary donation in Skip’s honor, please donate to the Parkinson's Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/) Meals on Wheels (https://www.mealsonwheelsamer…) your local no-kill animal shelter, or by patronizing your public library.

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