Joseph T. O'Leary, Jr.

Joseph T. O""Leary, Jr. LAKELAND " Community volunteer Joseph Timothy O""Leary, Jr., died early Saturday morning at his home in Lakeland due to congestive heart failure. He was 84. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., he received his degree in Chemical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology after serving in the Navy during WWII. O""Leary brought his family to Lakeland in 1960. He worked 34 years as a chemical engineer for Agrico and 12 years for Lakeland Electric as a commercial accounts representative. Despite the demands of working fulltime and raising eight children, O""Leary stayed active in the United Way, Santa Fe Catholic High School, and Resurrection Catholic Church. While he was working for Lakeland Electric, he became involved with United Way of Central Florida. He assisted with the community investment process. In 2001, he was named UWCF""s Citizen of the Year. The students, faculty, and parents at Santa Fe Catholic know O""Leary from his involvement with the athletic program. He worked the clock at both football and basketball games as all of his children went to Santa Fe. In 2003, Santa Fe named the press box for its football field after him. A founding member of Resurrection Catholic Church, O""Leary served as a lector or usher at the Saturday evening mass. He also worked as a volunteer with Lakeland Vision and Polk Vision. Each March, he helped with the FHSAA state playoffs at the Lakeland Center as the volunteer coordinator. The retired engineer is survived by Mary Jo O""Leary, his wife of 58 years, two sisters Clare Stephenson of Brewster, MA, Kay McQuie of Arlington, VA, and Jerry O""Leary of Boston, MA.; children Michael O""Leary, Patrick O""Leary , Margaret Parsch"", and Kathleen Wright of Lakeland; Mary Beth Fabian and Robert O""Leary of Longwood, Florida; Maureen O""Leary of Atlanta, GA, and. Timothy O""Leary of Tulsa, OK. He also leaves eleven grandchildren. Heath Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Viewing is scheduled for Tuesday at Heath Funeral Home between 5-7 p.m. Funeral Mass is at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Resurrection Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either the United Way of Central Florida or Catholic Charities in Mr. O""Leary""s name. Service: 12/21/2011 Church of the Resurrection 3855 South Forida Ave, Lakeland, 33813 Heath Funeral Chapel Visitation: 12/20/2011 Heath Funeral Chapel