Ralph J. Leary, 84, of Toms River, N.J., passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at home. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., Mr. Leary lived in Cranford for 60 years. An organic chemist, he was the director of the analytical research department at Exxon Research and Engineering in Linden, N.J., at the time of his retirement in 1986.

He earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois and was the holder of 25 patents, mainly in the field of high-energy propellants. He was a former director of the Cranford Jaycees, served as the chairman of the Cranford Days committee in 1963, and was chosen for the 1965 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America.