William Thomas (Tom) Leary departed this life on Wednesday 20 June 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Born on 29 December 1937 in Portsmouth, Virginia, he graduated from St. Paul’s Catholic High School in 1956. He attended Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, Class of 1960. He married Angela Charlene Lee a native of Portsmouth in 1963 where he resided until the age of 28 when they moved to Richmond to pursue his career in banking and finance. They moved to Hampton in 1985 and resided there until 2011 then moved to Gloucester where they resided until his death. He spent 40 years working for various lending institutions retiring from Bank of America in 1995. He opened the Automotive Finance Division of Chevy Chase Bank working closely with many of the automobile dealers in Southeast Virginia. In 1982 Tom retired from the Army Reserve as a Master Sergeant with 21 years of military service. He was a member of the Portsmouth Jaycees from 1958 to 1966. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus serving as Grand Knight for the St. Edwards Council #6546, Richmond, Virginia from 1982-1983.
Tom is survived by his wife of 55 years, former Hampton City Councilwoman Angela Lee Leary, their daughter Catherine Estep, her husband Bill, granddaughters Katie Shaw (Justin), Leigh Clevenger (Mark Dandridge, Jr.) and Jordan Estep. He is also survived by his sister Mary L. Butler of Portsmouth and a host of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Alfred Clinton Leary and Mary Teresa Hurst Leary.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home 2551 N Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA 23666 on Wednesday, 27 June, 2018 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church 522 High St, Portsmouth, VA 23704 on Thursday 28 June 2018 at 11:00am. Internment will immediately follow at All Saints Catholic Cemetery 2701 Elm Ave., Portsmouth, Virginia 23705. A reception will be at the home of Mrs. Mary L. Butler at 4406 Gannon Road Portsmouth, Virginia following the services.
