"We worked well together for a number of years. Rest in peace Ed. Prayers for the family."
In loving memory of
Edward O'Leary
July 19, 1936 - July 8, 2021
Edward F. O'Leary, 84, of Fort Dodge passed away Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Trinity Regional Medical Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Holy Trinity Church. Burial will follow in Corpus Christi Cemetery with military rites provided by the United States Air Force Honor Guard and the VFW Post 1856. A visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 PM Friday at Laufersweiler Funeral Home.
Ed is survived by his children, Debbie O'Leary (Randy Bauer) of Granger, Julie (Marc) Solnet of Highlands Ranch, CO, Sean O'Leary of Plainfield, IL; daughter-in-law, Chris O'Leary; grandchildren, Ryan (Kiley), Joe, and Erin O' Leary, Connor (Emily) and Sydney O'Leary, Abbey and Sarah Solnet, Jenna (Simon Sheaff) and Kiera Bauer; great-granddaughter, Cora O'Leary; and brothers, Pat (Jan) O'Leary of Grand Beach, MI, Tom (Diane) O'Leary of Bonita Springs, FL, Jim (Eileen) O'Leary of University Heights, OH, and William (Geraldine) O'Leary of Grosse Point, MI.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen (Savage) O'Leary; wife, Betsy O'Leary in 2016; son, Tom O'Leary in 2012; and infant brother, Donald.
Edward Francis O'Leary was born July 19, 1936 in Fort Dodge and graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1954. On August 31, 1956 he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Betsy Drzycimski. Ed served in the United States Air Force. His service included working at a early warning radar installation in Canada. Ed worked as a letter carrier for 35 years and after retiring he served as director of the Fort Dodge Human Rights Commission. He served three terms as state president of the National Association of Letter Carriers and was also president of the North Central Federation of Labor. As a community servant, Ed served on numerous boards. He served 2 three year terms on the Fort Dodge School Board including a year as president. He also served 9 years on the Area Education Agency board. Ed served for the Elderbridge Area Agency on Aging, three years as president. He was a member of the Iowa Workforce Development Board and the Older Iowan Legislature where he was elected speaker. In the 70's he served on the desegration committee for the Fort Dodge Public Schools. He was a weekly guest on a local radio talk show where he got to give his opinion whether you liked it or not! Over the years his service earned him many awards. He was cited locally and regionally by Sertoma with the Service to Mankind Award. He earned the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award and the Fort Dodge Kiwanis Club Community Service Award. Ed was a Red Cross volunteer, United Way board member, usher at Corpus Christi Church, and a member of the Daybreak Rotary Club. He was a devoted New York Yankees fan and a proud Democrat. Above all, Ed was a devoted family man who loved his family very much. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Memorials may be left to family discretion.
Tributes
"Just wanted to pay my last respects to my Fort Dodge connection. Although you were my cousin, over the years our phone calls to each other got more frequent and I feel that we became good friends. The history and stories of our family that you shared will always have a place in my heart. It was a privilege to have known you. God bless and rest in peace. Joe and Kathy Fivelson"
"Uncle Ed was one of the best people I know. Sending our love and sympathy to his family. "
"Sorry to hear of Ed's passing, my first memory meeting him , I was in high school and he coached church league basketball. he was my first coach, and got me into coaching. He also talked me into hiring his 3 children,, some of my best workers."
"Ed always had a smile. He will be miss by everyone in the community. Julianne Vosika Pawlosky "
"Rest in peace with Betsy, Ed. I got to know Ed & Betsy when Nick started working as a letter carrier at the Post Office. Being an active union man (and probably President of the local at the time), Ed got Nick into the union. Nick considered Ed his mentor and over the years became very active in their union and ended up becoming President for some years. Nick also attended many letter carrier seminars and conventions with Ed. Fort Dodge lost a great union man as well as a great local Democrat. We'll miss you, Ed. ?? Nedra Conrad"