Donald William O’Leary, of Danvers, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family after a long illness and ninety years of living.
Son of the late Joseph Francis and Harriet Mabel (Thompson) O’Leary, and brother to the late Mary (O’Leary) Walker, Joseph, John and Edward (Ned) O’Leary, Donald was born in Salem in 1921 and lived most of his life in Danvers. He graduated from Holten High School in the class of 1938, where he met Mary Mercier, his cherished wife of 66 years.
From 1942 to 1945, Donald served as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Ranger, in the African and Pacific Theatres during WWII. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he went to work for the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. as a Central Office Equipment Installer until his retirement in 1983 after 38 years of employment.
Donald was a long-standing member of the Wenham Golf Club where he was an avid golfer. He enjoyed all sports, especially baseball, travelling the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America, singing with friends and family, taking care of his home, his rose garden and beloved family. He was a lifelong member and communicant of St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Danvers.
Donald is survived by his beloved wife, Mary (Mercier) O’Leary, a daughter, Suzan Elizabeth O’Leary, and 5 sons, Timothy, Bruce, Jonathan, David and Michael O’Leary. He has 3 grandsons, Justin, Thomas and Luca, 2 grand-daughters, Shannon (O’Leary) Lowell and Erin (O’Leary) Smith, 2 great-grandsons, Ethan and Hayden Lowell, twin great-granddaughters, Summer and Sydney Smith and many nieces and nephews.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11AM in St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, 25 Conant St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Annunciation Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Friday from 4-8PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. In lieu of flowers, remembrances of Donald may be made to the St. Mary of the Annunciation Church Sanctuary Fund, 24 Conant St., Danvers, MA 01923 or to the Smile Train, 41 Madison Ave., 28th Floor, New York, NY 20010.