Dennis A. Leahey

Dennis A. Leahey, 76, of Fairhaven passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in St. Luke’s Hospital after a period of declining health. He was the husband of Linda (Dell’Olio) Leahey with whom he would have shared 50 years of marriage this fall.

Born in New Bedford, a son of the late George Leahey, Sr. and Alice (Ward) Leahey, he was a lifelong New Bedford/Fairhaven area resident.

He bought the Sea Space property from his uncle that he grew and nurtured into a successful vacation rental business for many years. He had also worked for a time at O’Hara’s Auto Parts as a young man.

Dennis spent the summers of his youth at Camp Sea Space learning to sail and swim and continued both activities throughout his life. Each spring, he waited anxiously for warmer weather so he could do his daily swimming in the bay. He loved sailing and did so as often as possible, in fact his first date with Linda was to take her sailing. Dennis was a fixer at heart, always tinkering around and fixing things. He had a knack for horticulture and enjoyed planting and growing orchids and birds of paradise, among other exotic plants. He was also an animal lover and cared for many different animals over the years including but not limited to dogs, cats, ostriches, llamas, and peacocks.

Nothing gave him greater joy at the end of the day than sitting in his front yard and looking out over the bay.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter Carolyn (Leahey) Bluhm and her husband Adam of Wareham; and a brother, Timothy Leahey of New Bedford. He was the brother of the late George Leahey, Jr. and his late wife Johanna.

His visitation will be Tuesday, April 28, 2026 4-7 p.m. in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Fairlawn, 180 Washington Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719. All other services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donation in his memory may be made to West Place Animal Sanctuary, 3198 Main Rd., Tiverton, RI 02878 www.westplace.org. For online tribute/directions: www.waring-sullivan.com.