William J. O'Leary, Jr., age 86, of Dover, DE, died peacefully Sunday, December 22, 2013, at his home surrounded by family. Born in Elmira, NY, he was the son of the late William J. O'Leary and the late Mary E. (Allen) O'Leary. He was married to the late Patricia A. (Burke) O’Leary for 51 years.
Bill, a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Dover since 1967 when he relocated with his growing family from New York, was an active parishioner. He attended daily mass, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, was in active rotation on the adoration Chapel prayer team, served as an usher and assisted with collections during Sunday services, was a member of the Holy Cross School Parent Teacher Organization and participated on various steering committees in support of the school, and was an avid fundraiser for the construction of the new Holy Cross Church built in 1997. He was a preliminary member of the planning committee for establishing the St. Thomas Moore Academy in Magnolia, DE, the college preparatory school where two of his grandchildren currently attend. He was a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America organization, a donor to The Shepherd Place that serves the general homeless population in the Dover/Kent County area, and a contributor to Mom’s House that offers single parents the opportunity to continue their education by providing childcare services free of charge. In addition, Bill generously supported many Catholic universities and relief agencies around the world.
A veteran of WW II, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17, served in the Pacific Theater in Guam, and earned the Victory, American Theater of Operations, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals. After returning from war, Bill benefited from the GI Bill and studied Business Administration at Rider College in New Jersey and Elmira College in New York. He was employed by the U.S. Federal Government for 35 years, where he helped administer the Social Security program for the State of Delaware and parts of Maryland. After retiring from the Government in 1990, Bill worked in real estate for Century 21 until 2005.
Family meant everything to Bill. He was the father of eight, including: William J. O'Leary III of Lancaster, PA – Kathleen O’Leary Weyant of Dover, DE – Christopher G. O’Leary [deceased in 2012] – Margaret O’Leary McElligott of Magnolia, DE – Michael J. O'Leary of Boston, MA – Clare M. O'Leary of Baltimore, MD – Mary O’Leary Kane of Phoenix, MD – and Ann O'Leary Amato of Pittsburgh, PA.
…grandfather of nine, including: Patrick M. O’Leary – Molly A. McElligott – Robert E. McElligott – Julia M. O’Leary – Thomas W. Kane – Aidan O. Kane – William P. Kane – Delaney B. Amato – and Kieran X. Amato.
…and brother of two, including: Paul E. O’Leary of Pine City, NY – and Thomas O’Leary [deceased in 1993].
Friends may call Saturday, December 28, 2013, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Cross Church, 631 S. State St., Dover. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover.
The family suggests donations in Bill’s memory be made to The Shepherd Place – 1362 S. Governors Ave. Dover, DE, 19904 – 302-678-1909 – www.shepherdplace.org Life’s End Services are by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director, Inc. Condolences may be forwarded and guest book signed via www.ambruso.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William J. O'Leary, Jr., please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.