Obituary of Richard Leahey

Richard Daniel Leahey was born on August 7, 1923. He was the youngest of Mary and Daniel Leahey's three children. He grew up in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia.

To help his parents during the Great Depression, he started working at an young age. He delivered ice and kerosene and worked at the Philadelphia Police Department stables. During World War II, he enlisted in the US Army 147th Combat Engineers at 19 years of age. While he was away at boot camp, his brother, Bill passed away from Tuberculosis at the age of 21.

Unfortunately, Dick also contracted tuberculosis and was sent home from England before the D-day invasion. He spent 3 years in a VA Hospital in New York recuperating and at one point was given 6 months to live.

He then decided to join the Benedictine Monastery at St Paul's Abbey in Newton, New Jersey. Due to continued health issues, he was not able to continue the religious life there. He returned to Philadelphia to live with his Mother and Sister.

In 1956, Dick was "accidentally" introduced to Peggy Moran by mutual friends. They were married in May 1957 at St. Denis Church in Ardmore. They eventually had 4 children, Marguerite, Mary, Florence and William. They bought a home Plymouth Meeting in 1960. Dick was employed by Philadelphia Gear Corporation in King of Prussia for over 25 years. Peg and Dick were married for 40 years until Peg's death in February 1998.

Dick was always a great sports fan, following all the Philadelphia teams, especially his beloved Phillies. He loved to play golf, fish and swim in the ocean in Avalon and Corolla, NC.

After retiring in 1986, he started a new career as a volunteer at Epiphany of Our Lord Church. It became his second home and second family. During this time, he also spent many hours with his beloved 8 grandchildren and his sister Marie.

Finally, he moved to Souderton Mennonite Home in 2007 and lived there happily and well cared for until June 13, 2012.