Richard J. Leahy

June 30, 1928 - March 6, 2011

Richard J. Leahy, 82, of Sarasota, passed away peacefully at home on March 6, 2011. At his side was Noreen, his beloved wife of 59 years.

In addition to his wife Noreen, he leaves behind his five children, daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Kirk Shultz of Beacon Falls, CT; son, Richard Leahy, Jr. of Northvale, NJ; son, Michael Leahy of Hackensack, NJ; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Arthur Smith of Amityville, NY; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Kenneth Foote of Bedford, NH; 13 loving grandchildren, Timothy Shultz, Kate (Justin) Rozen, Kacie Leahy, Richard Leahy, Kirsten Leahy, Chelsea Leahy, Taylor Leahy, Patrick Smith, Ronald Smith, Ryan Foote, Cameron Foote, Sean Foote and Danny Foote and many devoted and loving nieces and nephews.

Born in New York City, NY, Richard graduated from Manhattan College in 1951 with a degree in Civil Engineering.

He worked for thirty-five years for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. During that time he oversaw many exciting and innovative projects, including Newark and La Guardia Airports.

Richard was a member of The Moles, since 1986. He was a Licensed Professional Engineer and enjoyed every single day of his career with the Port Authority.

He was a very community minded person and was active in the Knights of Columbus and St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church in Englewood, New Jersey.

Richard was renowned for his potato salad and his Irish Soda Bread, and of course, no party was complete without his rendition of Danny Boy.

Since retiring in 1988, Richard and Noreen have enjoyed a very active and rich life, traveling, golfing and especially enjoying their grandchildren.

Visitation: Thursday, March 10, 2011 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at Palms-Robarts Funeral Home, Sarasota.

Funeral Mass: Friday, March 11, 2011 at 1:00pm at Church of the Incarnation Catholic Church, Sarasota.

Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Tidewell Hospice, Inc. in Sarasota in Richard's memory.

Arrangements under the direction of Palms - Robarts Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Sarasota, FL.