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Memorial for EDWARD C. LEAHY
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Born in Philadelphia, Pa. on Jul. 21, 1919
Departed on Feb. 1, 2010 and resided in Havertown, PA.
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| Visitation: |
Friday, Feb. 5, 2010
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| Mass of Christian Burial: |
Friday, Feb. 5, 2010
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| Cemetery: |
Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery
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Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.
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Edward C. Leahy, Sr., age 90, passed away Monday morning, February 1, 2010, at his home in Havertown, PA. Born July 21, 1919 in Philadelphia, PA to William and Catherine Leahy, Ed grew up in Atlantic City, back when it was a resort town during the roaring twenties. He graduated from Norwood Academy in Chestnut Hill, PA, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, Villanova University, and the Naval University of the Air, in Corpus Christi, TX.
A great lover of the water, Ed was a member of the varsity swimming team at St. Joseph’s Prep for three years and Captain of the team his senior year. While at Villanova, he participated on the varsity swim team for four years, was again the Captain his senior year, and spent his summers as a member of the lifeguard patrol in Atlantic City, NJ. He was the longest holder of the Catholic League backstroke record.
Ed was a veteran of the United States Navy. In 1942, Ed entered the Navy and became a pilot. He was a Patrol Plane Commander in North Atlantic and South Atlantic. Released to inactive duty in 1945, he joined the weekend warriors at the Naval Air Station in Willow Grove. There, he served as a Patrol Plane Commander with VP931 until he was recalled to active duty in 1950.
Ed was ordered to duty at the Atomic Tests in the Bikini Atol in the Pacific Area and was one of the few people who have observed an atomic bomb burst from the air. Promoted to Lieutenant Commander, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for leading a flying patrol though a typhoon as the Commander during the atomic tests. Upon his return to the United States, Ed was assigned as a personnel officer in Coronado, CA, responsible for the assignment of men returning from Korea.
He and his wife, Lillian, and his son, Edward, returned home to Philadelphia and Ed joined Allstate Insurance at the beginning of their dramatic growth. Ed aquired his own Allstate agency in Philadelphia and over fifty years, built a highly successful general insurance clientele throughout Philadelphia and Delaware County.
Ed never lost his love of adventure nor the ocean. After retirement and his beloved wife Lillian’s death, he traveled to Florida, Nantucket and Brigantine, always with his black lab Jeffrey by his side. On his 90th birthday, Ed celebrated by bodysurfing in the ocean and was always up for “a ride to the beach, a swim and something delicious”. When asked what he wanted most to achieve in life, Ed’s answer was, “I hope to serve my family, church and community in whatever needs to be done to leave things a little better after I go than when I came”.
He is survived by his son Edward and his daughter-in-law Margaret, along with his grandchildren Meghan S. Leahy and E. Brendan Leahy.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Mr. Leahy at 10:30 AM Friday, February 5, in St. John Neumann Church, Radnor & Highland Rds, Bryn Mawr where family and friends may call after 9:30 AM. Interment will follow in SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield.
In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the Convent of Divine Love (Pink Sisters), 2212 Green St., Phila, Pa. 19130 or to the Medical Mission Sisters, 8400 Pine Rd, Fox Chase, Pa. 19111
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