LACONIA ---- Richard P. “Rick” Leahy, 73, of Laconia, NH, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and educator, passed away unexpectedly at Concord Hospital on Monday, August 12, 2024.
Rick was born on November 22, 1950, in Laconia to Roland and Margaret “Betty” (Hoey) Leahy. He graduated from Laconia High School in 1968, receiving his bachelor’s degree from The College of the Holy Cross in 1972 and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Plymouth State College in 1989.
Growing up in the Lakes Region, Rick excelled at athletics, particularly baseball, skiing, sailing, and water skiing. In high school, Rick played saxophone and bassoon in marching band and orchestra. He also participated in theater and played on the golf team. Summer jobs in college and beyond included train engineer at Steam Village, subbing for Earl Anderson as a reporter/photographer at the Union Leader local office, and bartending at the Windmill, the Margate, and the NASWA.
On Dec 22, 1973, Rick married Marie (Poire) Leahy at St. Joseph’s Church in Laconia, and spent the next 50 years creating a home full of love for their two children, family, friends, and each other. Throughout his life, he shared his love of music, sports and the outdoors with family, friends, and community. He took delight in playing piano at family gatherings, and took his children on cross-country ski adventures and summer trips to Wells Beach.
Rick’s greatest passion was teaching. During the course of his 36-year career as an educator, he taught social studies at his alma mater, LHS, with a focus on US History, and served many years as Department Head. He was dedicated to his profession and to his students, and his enthusiasm for history was contagious. Beyond the classroom, he coached two Granite State Challenge championship teams, the LHS golf team, served as football team videographer (alongside his father), and advisor to the LHS Chess Club and Student Council. In 1985, he was one of three finalists for NH’s Teacher of the Year.
His 25+ years as a volunteer umpire for Laconia Little League meant the world to him. Being chosen to umpire at the Bristol, CT Eastern Regionals was the highlight of this time spent officiating the game he loved. Rick also umpired for high school baseball and was well-respected by his fellow umpires. He was a member of Laconia Rotary from the time he retired in 2008, and enjoyed the camaraderie of weekly meetings and the causes Rotary supported.
Rick loved to be on the water, with yearly fly-fishing trips to Tall Timbers in Pittsburgh, NH, winters spent ice fishing on Lake Winnisquam, and many, many happy hours spent with loved ones at the family camp on Paugus Bay. In retirement, Rick and Marie made two trips cross-country, kayaking in each of the lower 48 states, successfully completing a dream of theirs and gaining a new appreciation for our country and its people.
Rick was young at heart and shared his sense of humor and curiosity with his family and friends. He was fascinated with the idea of flight, and studied aircraft and aviation through computer flight simulation. A skilled cook, he loved to try new recipes — the spicier the better — and tended a large backyard garden for many summers. He liked to read, debate, and joke, and he loved gathering family and old friends together. He was a generous host who made sure everyone’s glasses were full.
Rick is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marie, his children Jennifer Leahy, of the San Francisco Bay Area, and Jonathan Leahy and his wife, Hillary Kerr, of Los Angeles, and their children, Clark and Wilder Leahy. Also surviving him is his brother, John Leahy and partner, Barbara O’Shea, of Laconia, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many close loved ones from his wife’s family. He was predeceased by his parents and brother J. Michael Leahy.
Calling Hours will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, from 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm in the Carriage House at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 10:00 am at the St. Andre Bessette Parish - Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH. A private interment ceremony will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery at a later date.
For those wishing to honor Rick, the family suggests that donations be made in his memory to any charity that supports the youth of our community.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com,164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to wilkinsonbeane.com.