Robert Francis Leahey

Robert Francis Leahey, aged 83, passed away on 25 May 2012 in Kenner, LA. He was born on 30 July 1928 in Worcester, MA, son of Francis Patrick and Ruth Sweet Leahey. After graduating from Classical High School in Worcester in 1946, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy for two years. He served aboard USS Saipan (CVL 48), participating in the developmental testing of radar, and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal.

While studying engineering at Purdue University, Bob met and married his first wife, Vivian Lois Carlson of Chicago. The couple moved to Austin, TX, where he attended St. Edward’s University. In 1956, Bob moved his family to El Paso, TX, where he worked as a mechanical engineer for various contracting companies and, finally, for the University of Texas at El Paso as the physical plant manager. After his wife of 23 years died in 1974, Bob married a second time to Myrna L. Wolf, of El Paso. The last years of his working life, he was employed by the University of Texas at Tyler medical school.

Drawn to his ancestral homeland, Bob moved to Galway, Ireland, after his retirement in 1993. He enjoyed sharing a pint of Guinness with his friends while listening to Irish music in his favorite pubs. He returned to the U. S. in 2004 and resided in Kenner, LA, where he developed a keen interest in blues music.

He is survived by his sister, Janet L. Jones, of Metairie, LA; son Michael F. Leahey, of Damascus, MD; daughter Catherine A. Leahey, of San Antonio, TX; daughter-in-law Jan L. Leahey; grandsons Timothy O., Ryan F., and Colin P. Leahey; and nieces Coral J. Morel, Rebecca J. Brown, Christina J. Cabiran, and Alyson J. McNair.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A. M. on August 4, 2012 at Evergreen Cemetery East, 12400 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX 79938. A lunch reception will follow at Julio’s Café Corona, 8050 Gateway Boulevard East. In lieu of flowers, family and friends may make a donation in Bob’s name to The Jazz Foundation of America at http://jazzfoundation.org/memory_honor or to their favorite charity.