Obituary: John O'Leary, 82, Of Greenwich

Information via Castiglione Funeral Home

John F. O’Leary, age 82 of Greenwich, CT, passed away December 20, 2020 at Greenwich Hospital after a long battle with COPD.

Born in Oak Park, IL, John’s family moved to Greenwich while he was in high school. He attended Greenwich High School, played for the football team and graduated in 1956.

After graduation, he enlisted in the United States MarineCorps and saw deployment as a Military Police Officer in Lebanon and PuertoRico. In 1962, he was discharged from active duty at the rank of Corporal and joined the Marine Corps Reserve.

Upon discharge, John enrolled at the University of Dayton in Ohio. When John returned to Greenwich after school, he joined Sutton Oil, where he learned the oil business from the bottom up and became owner of Sutton Oil. After selling the company and taking a brief respite from the oil business, he founded Northfield Fuel, Inc.

John loved spending vacation time at the family summer homes in Michigan on Lake Charlevoix as a child as well as later years and in Narragansett, Rhode Island with his wife, Loretta, who he affectionately referred to as "Rette." He enjoyed fishing off Block Island, Montauk and Long Island Sound on his boat "Irish Ayes."

John had an incredible memory, which served him well when he told you the clever punchlines to his many stories. He was "tough as nails" with the biggest heart, rose with the sun, enjoyed watching and discussing sports, and was never late a day in his life. He will be greatly missed by all he touched.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elizabeth and James V. O’Leary, brother,James V. O’Leary, Jr., sister Elizabeth Meany and his many, beloved German Shepherds. He is survived by the love of his life, Loretta S. O’Leary, brother Michael O’Leary of County Donegal, Ireland, children Richard Kerr, Jill (Kirk) Kinnear, Susan (Stewart) Durrell, Jennifer Kerr, niece Mary Meany, nephews James (Ann) Meany and Bernard (Scarlett) Meany, and grandchildren Kyle, Katii, Kristen, James, Kerrin and Konnor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Semper Fi Fund or a charity of your choice.

There will be a private service for immediate family only and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for John’s extended family and many friends.

Semper Fi Fund (https://www.charitynavigator).

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