James Martin O'Leary, Overlook Nursing Home, New Wilmington, passed away peacefully at 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, (6-2-09) in Jameson Health Care Center, He was 88.
He was born on August 24, 1920 in Sharpsville, the son of Maurice and Mary Rogan O'Leary.
Mr. O'Leary was raised and lived in Sharon Hill, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia through his high school years.
In the early 1960's, he joined the newly formed Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage where he remained a member and enjoyed serving as an usher for many years.
He was employed as the supervisor of Traffic at the former Sharon Steel Corporations Farrell Plant and he retired with 43 years of service. He was a member and past president of the Youngstown Traffic Club.
During WWII, He served with the United States Army in the European Theater and fought at the battle of the Bulge. He reached the rank of Sergeant and upon his honorable discharge in 1946, he received the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal with one Bronze Star, and ultimately the WWII Victory Medal.
His wife the former Edith Wood, whom he married April 22, 1948, passed away on June 30, 1991.
He was a past member of the Transfer School Board where he served as Secretary Treasurer for five years.
Mr. O'Leary enjoyed reading all his life, walking, and his trips to Myrtle Beach with his friend Sara.
He is survived by his three daughters, Bonnie Mittal, Hermitage, Alberta 'Bert' O'Leary, Hermitage, Sheila Miller and her husband Ted, Sharpsville, two sons, Ronald O' Leary and his wife Charlotte, Burbank, CA, and James F. O'Leary, Sharpsville; seven grandchildren, Bernadette Griffith, Niles, OH, Paula Summers Hickory, NC, Steven Mittal Hermitage, Matthew Fleischer, Pittsburgh, Ken Miller, Sharpsville, Brad Miller, Waxahachie TX , and Kelly O'Leary, Burbank CA, twelve great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Bridget O'Leary, his grandson, Sammy Fleischer, two brothers, Jack and Monty O'Leary, and his beloved friend, Sara Deal.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN 38105. Please place the tracking # 23864193 in the memo of the check.
Calling hours: Friends will be received from 10:30 a.m. until the time of his Memorial Mass Thursday (6-4-09) in Church of Notre Dame 2325 Highland Road, Hermitage, Pa. Condolences may be sent by visiting the web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com
Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday (6-4-09) at 11:30 a.m. in the church of Notre Dame with Rev. Edward J. Zeitler, senior associate pastor, as celebrant.
Inurnment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory 1090 E. State St. Sharon.