Joseph F. Leahy, Jr., age 89, of Webster, died Sunday, September 10, 2023, his mother's birthday, with his family at his side at Three Links Care Center in Northfield. Joe was born on the family farm on April 29, 1934 to Joseph, Sr. and Stella (McDonough) Leahy. He attended Webster Country School and graduated from Northfield High School. He served in the US Army in the Korean Conflict. Joe gave his sister a ride to a dance at the New Prague Park Ballroom where he met a beautiful young Czech lass, Julie Turek; the couple married on May 26, 1959 at Most Holy Trinity in Veseli. Joe's heart was in his farm and his iron-clad work ethic saw him working a 160-acre crop and dairy farm, while also maintaining a commercial union carpentry 40 hour/week job. A proud Irishman, all his tools had just a little bit of green paint to mark them as his. His children and grandchildren took priority in Joe's life and he could always be found with a child in his arms, Tootsie Rolls in his pockets, and the rest of the children gathered around him. A member of the Veseli Saddle Club, Joe and the family participated in many parades, his beloved horses pulling a buggy and his daughter on another horse. Joe had a heart that matched his stature; no one who needed help was ever turned away. No project of his own was more important than someone in need. Finally, Joe's faith was a stalwart of his life. His children remember a particular snowstorm when Joe told them to get their snowsuits on and trudged up the long hill to Sunday Mass; they were the only family at Mass that Sunday. Joe's footprint was larger than life and his legacy will be sorely missed.
Joe is survived by his children, Kathy (Paul) Flicek of Webster, Randy Leahy of Northfield, Joe (Carol) Leahy of Northfield, Tim (Rochelle) Leahy of Hastings; grandchildren, Ryan (Meg) Flicek, Jen (Bryan) Barlage, Jason (Kristina) Flicek, Christopher (Erin) Flicek, Cody Leahy, Ashley (Jim) Otto, Joey (Kaitlin) Leahy, Gabby Leahy, Luke Leahy (Amber Nasers), Megan (Stanton) Charlton; great-grandchildren, Amelia, Stella, Eleanor, Sam, Ellie, Sullivan, Ralph, Guinevere, Juliette, JJ, Olivia, Ryker, and Knox; sisters, Eleanor (Leonard) Shambour of New Prague and Molly (Donny) Smisek of Lonsdale. He is preceded in death by his wife, Julie, on November 26, 2022; grandson, Darren Leahy; brother, Jim Leahy; sister, Inez Malecha.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Church of the Annunciation in Hazelwood with Father Doug Ebert officiating. Visitation will be held at church from 10-11 AM. Burial will occur in the church cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the Lonsdale American Legion Veterans Honor Guard. Lunch will follow in the church hall.
