Christopher G. O'Leary, age 49, of Dover, DE, died Monday, July 2, 2012, at Bay Health Medical Center in Dover. Born in Rochester, NY, he was the son of William J. O'Leary, Jr., and the late Patricia Ann (Burke) O'Leary.
Chris, a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Dover, was active throughout the years with the Catholic Youth Ministries (CYM) Sports Program at the Holy Cross Schools where he coached soccer and basketball. He also coached basketball at the Saint Thomas More Academy in Magnolia, DE.
Athletics were a large part of Chris’s formative years. He played soccer at Holy Cross High School and football at Dover High School, the University of Delaware (while studying liberal arts), and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. (while studying business administration). Chris played in 1981’s DFRC Blue-Gold All*Star Football Game, and over the years he supported DFRC, which provides children with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in and be recognized by way of sports.
His work experience included jobs at PPG Industries, FedEx Ground, and Sunroc Corp. In his quieter moments, Chris enjoyed reading and watching movies. But his favorite times were those spent with family and friends.
In addition to his father, Chris is survived by seven brothers and sisters: William J. O'Leary III of Lancaster, PA - Kathleen O’Leary Weyant of Dover, DE - 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. He also is survived by eight nephews and nieces: Patrick M. O’Leary - Molly A. McElligott - Robert E. McElligott - Julia M. O’Leary - Thomas W. Kane - Aidan O. Kane - William P. Kane - and Delaney O. Amato.
Friends may call Saturday, July 7, 2012, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso, 1175 S. State St., Dover. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, 631 S. State St., Dover. Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover.
The family suggests donations in Chris’s memory be made to the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens (DFRC)*, Four Seasons Center, 640 Plaza Dr., Newark, DE 19702. Condolences and Guest Book signings may be made at www.ambruso.com

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