Daniel Joseph O'Leary, Sr.

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Celebrating the life of
Daniel Joseph O'Leary, Sr.November 12, 1925 - May 23, 2011

Daniel Joseph O'Leary, Sr., 85, entered into eternal rest on May 23, 2011 under the care of Hospice Savannah after a sudden illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Katherine Ciucevich O'Leary, his first wife, Marie Claire Gunning O'Leary, and his two brothers, Joseph and David O'Leary.
Dan was born in Savannah in 1925. He attended Marist School for Boys and graduated from Benedictine Military School in 1943. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology for one year when his education was interrupted by World War II during which Dan served in the Pacific Theater as a member of the United States Navy. After Dan's military service, he returned to and graduated from Georgia Tech in 1948 with a degree in industrial engineering. He spent his forty year career with National Gypsum Company. During that time, Dan and his family lived in many different places, including Savannah, New Orleans, Louisiana, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Waukegan, Illinois, Baltimore, Maryland, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Medicine Lodge, Kansas before retiring to Savannah.
Upon retirement from National Gypsum, he worked for Monterey Bridge Company and participated in the construction of the Savannah River Bridge. Through the course of his life, Dan was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Saint Michael's Catholic Church. Dan was a member of many organizations including the Hibernian Society of Savannah, Rotary Club, Friends of Johnny Mercer, and was a charter member of the Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Church Knights of Columbus. Up until his recent illness, Dan led a very active life. Some of the activities he enjoyed included world travel, boating, the arts, and learning. Above all, Dan enjoyed spending time with his family commenting frequently that his wealth was his children.
Dan married Marie Claire Gunning in 1949 and they had six children. After the death of his beloved wife, Dan was blessed to find new love marrying Mary Kay Persse in 1990. Always hoping for an even dozen, Dan warmly welcomed Mary Kay's six children into his family. Between the O'Leary and Persse children, he became the proud grandfather of twenty and the proud great grandfather of two all of whom will always remember him as Père.
Dan is survived by his wife, Mary Kay Persse O'Leary of Tybee Island, his brother, John O'Leary Carolyn of Georgetown, South Carolina, his sister in law, Bette O'Leary of Savannah, his children, Maureen O'Leary Ed Myers of Tybee Island/Atlanta, Katherine Lynes Allen of Savannah, Ellen O'Leary Pete Berquist of Tybee Island, Daniel O'Leary Ann of Painesville, Ohio, Anne Marie Burke Rick of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, and Nora Missroon Robert of Savannah, his step children, Patrick Persse Julie of Danville, California, Timothy Persse, M.D. of Portland, Oregon, James Persse, Ph.D. of Atlanta, Georgia, Cecilia Auble Scott of Portland, Oregon, Margaret Austin Bill of Buford, Georgia, and Robert Persse Tara of Savannah, twenty grand children, and two great grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A Rosary service will be held after the visitation at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice Savannah, Benedictine Military School, Saint Vincent's Academy, and Saint Michael's Catholic Church.

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Nora and family, I was so sorry to hear of your father's passing. The Darlings are sending you our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

- Susan, Savannah, GA

Dan led a life of active generosity, full of constant love and devotion to God and family. I really admired him and am sorry to hear of your loss. God bless all the Persse and O'Leary family. Love, Stacie

- Stacie O'Connor Court, Athens, GA

To Mary Kay, Maureen, and the entire O'Leary extended family: You have our deepest sympathy. We loved Dan. James Taylor and Lynn Scott Myers

- James Taylor, Decatur, GA

I am so sorry to hear of Dan's passing. I will keep him in my prayers.

- William A. Bill Muller III, Creedmoor, NC

To all the family, Our hearts are breaking at the sudden passing of Dan. Dan was a blessing and a bright light to all who knew him. He now enjoys his heavenly reward for a life well lived. Love & prayers, Al & Marie Muller Bresciani Fla.

- Marie Bresciani, , GA

To the entire Family, My deepest sympathy to all of you.Dan was a true gentleman and he will be missed.You are in my prayers.

- Tom Mahoney, Savannah, GA

To Anne Marie Burke and Family; My prayers and thoughts are with you. Michaelene Sury

- Michaelene Sury, Bogart, GA

To Mary Kay and family, Knowing Dan for the past 11 years has been knowing a man who conveyed a calm, peaceful, and positive energy. May all our sorrow give way to lasting memories of his abounding qualities. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

- Glenn Way, Hilton Head Island, SC