John P. O'Leary, Sr.

Waltham – Mr. John P. O’Leary, a former longtime Needham resident, died Friday, December 20, 2024 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital after an illness. He was 91.

He was born in Boston on June 9, 1933 a son of the late Irish immigrants Patrick J. and Mary E. (Ellis) O’Leary. Raised in Brighton, he was a graduate of Brighton High School and recalled with fondness the lifelong friendships and memories formed while living in “Bug Village”. John served in the United States Army in the military police during the Korean War and graduated from Boston College where he remained a proud alumnus.

He married Brookline native, Catherine E. Daly, in her parish church of Saint Mary’s in 1959. Residents of Needham since 1968, they moved to Waltham seven years ago. Catherine died April 12, 2022.

John worked as a facilities manager for Honeywell Corporation for over 30 years in its Brighton location, retiring in 1997. Upon retirement he welcomed an opportunity to work for groundskeeping at Needham Golf Club for over ten years. Not one to golf, he loved the friendships that developed with co-workers. John and his family enjoyed countless summers at their cottage in Dennisport on Cape Cod.

Family was everything to John. He loved the opportunity to spend time with his children, grandchildren and his extended family. He loved sports, particularly when he was cheering his children and grandchildren on from the sidelines. In the Fall he particularly enjoyed watching college football. John was devoted to his lifelong Catholic faith, and he lived it by his words and his actions. A long-time member of St. Bartholomew’s Parish in Needham, he has been a member of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Newton for the past 7 years. 

In addition to his wife, Catherine, he was predeceased by his son, John P. ‘Jay’ O'Leary, Jr.; his siblings, Arthur O’Leary, Edward O’Leary, Mary Howe and Eleanor Bornemann and his daughter-in-law, Christine Ogilvie.

John leaves his children, Virginia M. ‘Ginny’ Arpino (Paul) of Waltham, Michael F. O'Leary of Newburyport, David A. O'Leary (Jennifer) of Medfield, and Christopher M. O'Leary of Norwood; his grandchildren, Ken (Dustin), Elizabeth (Craig), Stephen (Giulia), Liam, Michael, Kieran, Abigail, Finian, Tessa and Carisa ; his great-grandson, Maverick and many nieces, nephews and their families; his brother, George O’Leary (Clare) of Chestnut Hill; his in-laws, Mary O’Leary of Natick and Alfred Bornemann of Wellesley.

Family and friends will honor and remember John's life by gathering for Evening Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, December 27th from 4 to 7 p.m. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington Street, Newton at 10:30 a.m. Please go directly to church. Burial with military honors will follow in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Needham.

A broadcast (and recording) of John's Funeral Mass will be begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday: https://my.gather.app/fh/joyce-funeral-home/family/john-o-leary-sr

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Our Lady’s Parish, 573 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02458 or https://sholnewton.org/