ROCHDALE-James D. O’Leary, Sr., 72, of 698 Henshaw Street, died Saturday, January 22nd in St. Vincent Hospital after an illness. He leaves his wife of 48 years, Cynthia A. (Dmochowski) O’Leary, 2 sons, Thomas J. O’Leary of Rochdale and Commander James D. O’Leary of San Diego, CA, a daughter, Dr. Mary-Beth O’Leary of Rochdale, 3 brothers, Robert E. O’Leary of Worcester, Charles A. O’Leary of Auburn and Alfred J. O’Leary of Oxford, a sister, Mary E. O’Leary of Worcester, 3 granddaughters, Aislinn, Bridget and Tessa O’Leary, several nephews and nieces. A brother, Joseph O’Leary predeceased him.
He was born in Worcester the son of Dennis A. and Mary E. (Laverty) O’Leary, and was a graduate of St. Peter’s High School where he was an all star football player. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the College of the Holy Cross, a Masters Degree in History from Clark University and his C.A.G.S. from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and served in the Navy on the USS Worcester. Mr. O’Leary had been a science teacher in the Millbury School System for 37 years until he retired in 1994. During his years with the Millbury schools he was active in their sports programs as coach of the basketball and baseball teams and assistant coach of the football team. He was a member of St. Aloysius-St. Jude Church and College of the Holy Cross Purple Knights. One of his greatest accomplishments was the building of his home from scratch. He and his wife raised their family there and lived there until his death.
The funeral is Friday, January 28th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 11:00 AM in St. Aloysius-St. Jude Church, 487 Pleasant Street, Rochdale. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. A calling hour will be from 9:30 to 10:30 AM the day of the funeral.