Obituary: Joseph Leo

Joseph P. Leo, 73, former County Leader and City Administrator and a mainstay in New Jersey politics and community life died August 21, 2011 at Bayshore Hospital in Holmdel, NJ. Born in Jersey City, he was a resident of Old Bridge Township for 54 years. He was a public administrator, manager, and public safety director for numerous municipalities for the past 45 years serving the communities of Holmdel, Marlboro, Jackson, Monroe, Delran, Brick, Middletown, Matawan, and two stints in Old Bridge. Joe Leo was elected Chairman of the Middlesex County Republican Organization in 2000 and served for eight years. He was the former Republican Municipal Chairman of Old Bridge Township for 10 years. On a national level, he was a founding member of Young Americans for Freedom, established at William F. Buckley's residence in Sharon, Connecticut; and later served as National Vice-Chairman of that organization. Joe was a key early supporter of President Ronald Reagan and served as campaign director for the east coast in Reagan's quest for the White House, and was a National Delegate. He's a graduate of Woodbridge High School and received his BA degree from Rutgers University on a full academic scholarship and attended The Public Administration Institute at Fairleigh Dickinson University towards his MPA. He also attended the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University. While at Rutgers he was president of Rutgers' Independent Student Association; President and National Vice President of Tau Kappa Alpha; President of the Student Education Association; and in the Honor Fraternity. He earned numerous awards for debating on the debate team which was nationally recognized; was Debate Coach, and Administration Coach, with an appearance on the television program "GE College Bowl." Additionally he was a News Reporter and Radio Announcer, he was also Editor of a weekly newspapers; Instructor in Political Science at Brookdale Community College and Instructor in Public Speaking, Rutgers University. A father of two Army Veterans, Joe graduated from the New Jersey Military Academy, serving as a First Lieutenant Executive Officer in the New Jersey National Guard, Armor Unit. Joe, received a Citizenship award from Jewish War Veterans; established local support groups for "Desert Storm" military families; and established "Support Our Troop" initiatives. He was a member of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and Secretary of the Central Jersey Veterans for Freedom

Mr. Leo was active in fostering community causes including the Sandy Hook Friends of St. Barnabas Burn Foundation and Law Enforcement recognition programs, and drug and alcohol community awareness programs. Joe Leo adopted numerous causes as his own, including establishing 'Police Weeks' in a number of towns and founding the New Jersey State Mental Training Academy. He was also a member of the Shanghai Tiffin Club, Joe will be missed for his humor, his genuineness, unyielding loyalty, and integrity, and availability to always help someone. He loved his country, stood up for what he believed in, loved being Irish and Catholic and going to the Sea Gulls Nest and Chinese food. A communicant of Most Holy Redeemer Church, he served on the Parish Census Committee, was an usher, and a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

Mr. Leo is predeceased by his daughter Theresa and son Timothy and his sister Dorothy Jacobs. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Dr. Kathleen Leo, his son and daughter- in-law Sgt (1SG) Douglas and Tashawn Leo, sons Joseph, Fredrick, Thomas, Christopher, and grandchildren Timothy Leo, Theresa Leo, Mya Leo, Albert Jacob (A.J.) Leo, and Fredrick Leo; his brother George Casey and his wife Annette from Manchester Township, his brother Larry Casey, his brother Michael Casey and his wife Cheryl from New York, his brother Michael Hawkins and his wife Lois from Brick, his sister Frances Daidone and her husband Gerry from Pennsylvania, and Patricia Thompson and her husband Richard from Colorado, several aunts and an uncle, cousins and nieces and nephews.

Funeral Arrangements as follows: Wake: Thursday, 25 August 2011 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Michael Hegarty Funeral Home, 3377 Route 9 North, Old Bridge, NJ 08857, 732-679-4422. Mass: Friday, 26 August 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church, 133 Amboy Road, Matawan, NJ 07747-6816. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to help defer medical expenses 19 Van Ethel Dr., Matawan, NJ 07747.