John F. "Jack" Leahy Jr.

John Francis Leahy, Jr., known as Jack, passed away on Friday, July 17th, 2026. Born in Philadelphia, PA on June 21, 1946. Jack was a brother, husband, father, pop pop, sailor, businessman, teacher, and author.

Jack grew up in his beloved Manyunck neighborhood in Philadelphia. As a young man, he developed his lifelong interest in ham radio. Upon completing his education at Roman Catholic High School, Jack studied briefly at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD. After mutually deciding he was not a fit for the priesthood, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in Vietnam as part of the Sea-Bee’s construction battalion as a radioman from 1969-1970. Following his service in Vietnam, he continued his Naval career as a radioman in Argentia; Newfoundland, Canada; and Alaska.

Upon his discharge from the Navy, he landed in Dallas, TX. It was in Dallas that he met his wife, Margaret McGraw Leahy. The couple married June 12th, 1976. In December 1977 they welcomed twin sons, John and Dennis. In April 1979, son Michael joined the family.

It was also in Dallas that Jack began his career with Western Electric, which in time became both AT&T and Lucent Technologies. He started as a line electrician and grew his career to finally being manager of Distance Learning. In his career, he traveled extensively to locales such as Brazil, India, and Singapore, to mention just a few. In the early-90’s, a chance encounter in Washington, D.C. presented a second career: contracting for various intelligence agencies.

In 1986, he was transferred to Columbus, OH, where he would live the rest of his days. After his retirement from Lucent Technologies, he began a second career as an Adjunct Professor at Franklin University in Columbus, and as Vice-President of Distance Learning for the Pontifical College Josephinum. In his retirement, he authored several books, both fiction and non-fiction, all centering on Naval themes.

Jack was preceded in death by his father, John Francis Sr. and his mother Rita. He is survived by his sister Mary Quin (Dennis), brothers Terry (Sherry) and Dennis (JoAnn), his wife Margaret McGraw Leahy, his sons John (Dorothy), Dennis (Amanda) and Michael (Amanda), and his beloved grandsons Jackson, AJ, and Joey.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 26, 2026 from 2:00 - 5:00pm at Schoedinger Worthington. In honor of Jack, please wear his favorite color - blue.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026 at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church at 10:30am. Burial with Navy Honors will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.