John D. O'Leary

John was born in Washington Heights, New York in 1947 and thereafter moved to Staten Island NY. He was a member of the first graduating class of Monsignor Farrell in 1965 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Marist College, Poughkeepsie, in 1969.

He was employed by IBM in New York and relocated to Boca Raton in 1983 during the birth and heyday of the personal computer. He held management positions at IBM, was VP of Sales at Honeywell Access Systems, President of Mace Security Products and finished his career as the CEO of VPS, Inc. in Chicago.

John is survived by his wife, Michele, whom he was married to for 57 wonderful years. They loved to travel and had the opportunity to see most of the US, including Alaska and multiple European countries.

He loved coaching youth sports, which he did for all three of his children – Lauren at St. Dorothy’s Academy on Staten Island and Brad and Kristen for the Boca Hoops program. He also coached his son in Boca Raton Little League. He was a passionate fan of college sports, attended many football and basketball games for FSU and enjoyed organizing group father-son field trips to NCAA basketball tournament finals.  

John is predeceased by his parents, Mary E. and Sean P. O’Leary.  He is survived by his children, Lauren Russo Puletti, (Eric), Brad M. O’Leary and Kristen M. O’Leary (fiancée, Brian Doyle) along with his grandchildren, Michael, Andrew and Taylor Russo and step-grandson, Eric Puletti, Jr., all of whom he adored and was adored in return.

A Celebration of Life service will take place at Horizon Funeral Home, 4650 N. Federal Highway, Lighthouse Point, Florida on Saturday, February 10 at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of Flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. or make an online contribution at https://www.stjude.org/donate/