NATICK - Daniel Julius O’Leary, 81, of Natick passed away on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at Metrowest Hospital in Natick. Born in Charleston, S.C. on Aug. 12, 1930, he was the son of the late Arthur B., Sr., and Josephine (Smith) O’Leary.
He was raised in Waltham, attended Waltham High School (class of 1948) and graduated from Northeastern University in 1964. He was a Natick resident for 57 years.
Loving husband for 45 years of the late Janet F. (Witham) O’Leary who died in 1999. He is survived by his three children: Julie A. Cantu and her husband, Aldo, of San Antonio, Texas; Thomas D. O’Leary and his wife, Mary Jo, of Holliston and Daniel H. O’Leary, and his wife, Marina of Franklin. He also leaves his five beloved granddaughters, Amy and Alexa Cantu and Carolyn, Allison and Jennifer O’Leary. He was the brother of the late Josephine M. Hand and Arthur B. O’Leary, Jr. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Dan served as a Master Sergeant in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, 182nd Infantry Regiment, from 1948-1968. He was employed as a materials engineer at GTE Government Systems (Sylvania) in Needham for 29 years until his retirement in 1992.
He was active in veteran’s affairs, serving as the commander of his retired Army National Guard Unit 14 in Waltham for seven years. He volunteered at the Natick Service Council and with the Boy Scouts of America. He was an avid bicyclist, averaging 30 miles per day well into his late seventies. On his 75th birthday, he marked the occasion with a 75-mile bike ride. He enjoyed many hobbies including model railroading and was an excellent carpenter.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (off Route 30), Cochituate Village, Wayland.
Relatives and friends may gather at the funeral home on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 9:15 am followed by his Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 am at Parish of the Good Shepherd at St. Zepherin’s Church, 99 Main Street (Rte 27), Cochituate Village, Wayland.
Interment will follow in the O’Leary family lot in St. Zepherin Cemetery in Wayland.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Ste. 1509, New York, N.Y. 10018, or The Waltham Museum, 25 Lexington Street, Waltham, Mass. 02542.