Brother William O'Leary, S.M.

O’Leary, Bro. William Daniel, S.M.; died on Saturday, December 12, 2015. He was 86 years of age with 67 years in Marianist religious life. He is survived by his brother James O’Leary, St. Louis, MO and nieces and nephews.

Bro. Bill attended Southside Catholic HS (now St. Mary’s). He entered the postulate at age 15. He attended novitiate in Galesville, WI and professed first vows August 15, 1948. Bro. Bill taught English and Social Studies at DeAndreis HS for one year, then left for Latin America. He taught in Lima, Peru for 5 years (despite the fact that he spoke no Spanish) then in Callao. In 1960, he moved to teach in Chile. A few months after his arrival, the country was hit by massive earthquakes. He wrote, “I must confess, I thought it was the end of the world.” He went on to become Novice Master in Lima where he continued through 1967.

Bro. Bill returned to the US and taught at Roncalli HS in Pueblo, CO. In 1970, he began ministry in St. Louis, teaching at St. John Vianney until 1972. It was during this time that he earned a master’s degree in Spanish. He happily returned to Peru and remained there another 5 years.

He returned to St. Mary’s HS (1978-1990), taught Spanish, coached and served on the Board. In 1990 he came to Our Lady of the Pillar where he continued his pastoral work, visiting people in hospitals, taking communion to the homebound, delivering food, clothing and furniture for many outreach centers. He was very faithful to Guardian Angel Settlement. Bro. Bill retired and moved to San Antonio in 2014.

Services: A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016, 9:00 am at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church, 401 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Creve Coeur, MO 63131. Bro. Bill was buried at Marianist Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas. Memorial donations may be sent to the Marianist Mission, 4435 E. Patterson Road, Dayton, OH 45430.