Father Donald G. Leary
Monday, November 29, 1926
Date of Death:
Monday, August 15, 2016
Age:
89 years old
Monday, November 29, 1926
Date of Death:
Monday, August 15, 2016
Age:
89 years old
Monday, November 29, 1926
Date of Death:
Monday, August 15, 2016
Age:
89 years old
Father Donald G. Leary
On August 15, our beloved Father Donald Leary joined the angels to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in his everlasting home.
Born on November 29, 1926, Father Leary was the third of four boys born to Ethel and George Leary of Caledonia, MN. Like his brothers, he participated in the great boxing tradition of Caledonia. He attended Loretto High School in Caledonia and went on to receive his BA degree at Loras Catholic College in Dubuque, Iowa. He attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland and was ordained a priest on May 19, 1951. Father Leary dutifully answered the call of the Bishop of the Winona diocese by serving the parishes of St. Mary’s in Winona, Sacred Heart in Hayfield, Our Lady of Loretto in Brownsdale, Sacred Heart in Waseca, St. Patrick in LeRoy, St. Bernard in Stewartville, St. Mary in Lake City (twice), St. Casimir in Wells, St. Mary in Chatfield, St. Anthony in Altura and St. Aloysius in Elba. Father Leary was especially honored to serve as Principal at Lourdes High School in Rochester. He retired in Rochester where he greatly enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie of his brother Priests, along with the constant love and care from his niece Katie and her husband Steve and their sons Jake and John. The shamrock on his door and the twinkle in his eye proudly revealed his Irish heritage.
Preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill, Harold and Bob; sisters-in-law, Faith and Rita, nephew Tom, and his dear friend Sister Olga.
Survived by sister-in-law, Susan Leary, nieces, nephews, and his loyal friend since childhood Sister Mary Esch of Assisi Heights.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 19 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Rochester, MN with the Bishop Bernard J. Harrington celebrating and the Rev. Harry P. Jewison and Rev. James Russell concelebrating. Visitation will be two hours prior to Mass at St. John’s. Burial will be Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.
Condolences
The family of Father Donald G. Leary has received the following condolences.
Father Leary married Mike & I. He was not only inspirational in God's eyes but in our lives. He had already left St. Mary's in Chatfield but was more than willing to help
us out. He touched our hearts with his radiant smile & tender heart. He left an everlasting message in our hearts. You have our deepest & most sincere sympathy. We
are sorry we did not hear of your loss until Sunday (yesterday) in church. May you find peace knowing he touched so many lives & brought love & joy.
God Bless you All!
Mike & Vicki
My condolences to all Father Leary's family. As principal of Lourdes High he was an inspiration to us. He was a "people" person ,being friendly and helpful to all his students.
Leo Stellpflug (graduated 1958)
To the family of Fr. Leary,
We send our sincere condolences in your loss. We enjoyed having Father at St. Mary's of the Lake parish in Lake City. He was a warm and down to earth Priest who tried to help anyone who needed it.
Harry and Debbie Roberts, Red Wing(formerly of Lake City)
I EXTEND MY SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS FOR THE REPOSE OF FATHER DON'S SOUL AND FOR THE CONFORT OF HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
HE WAS ALWAYS A KIND AND CONSIDERATE FRIEND DURING THE YEARS WE KNEW EACH OTHER IN THE DIOCESE.
HE WAS DEDICATED TO THE WORK IN THE SCHOOLS AND PARISHES TO WHICH THE BISHOPS ASSIGNED HIM AND GAVE OF HIMSELF FREELY.
MAY HE NOW REST IN THE COMFORT OF HIS SAVIOR'S ARMS.
Over the past few years I had the good fortune to get to know Fr. Don. It actually began with my interest in purchasing his retirement home -220 S. Broadway on the 11th floor of the Holiday Inn . It is a great place with a fantastic view of Rochester. He did not mention that he had already agreed to sell it to Fr. Tim Reker... probably because he enjoyed our talks when we would drink good Irish whiskey and eat at Michael's, I believe his favorite restaurant.
I was always impressed with the drawings hanging on several walls throughout his home. Each was done in the same black & white ornate design, representing one of the several parish churches he'd been assigned to. He was very proud of each one as it reminded him of a certain period in his life which he was quite proud of. He was the ultimate parish priest, doing his best, getting to know people, praying/reading, and, best of all, being happy & content especially during his last years.
I know he is now in a place with a much better view... me- I'm now in Mesa, AZ where I get to see the sun rise & set 98% of the year and that is a great thing too.
Father Leary was our principal at Lourdes High School, he was our parish priest in Lake City on two different occasions, he officiated our daughter's
wedding ceremony and baptized two of our grandchildren. We feel very blessed to have had Father Leary in our lives.
Tom and Nancy Heimer (Lourdes Class of "61 & '62)
My first recollection of the Leary family of Caledonia was with my uncle Richard Chase who was raising Angus cattle on his farm. I think the Leary farm helped him in this endeavor. When Fr. Leary was at St. Mary's in Chatfield he became very close friends with my parents, Leonard and Marie Chase. He attended many get togethers at our home. I married a Lourdes graduate, Judy Strauss, she often talked about Fr. Leary. He was involved with many reunions that I attended with Judy. He always asked about my family in Chatfield. I will keep him in my prayers. I will always remember the smile and the twinkle in his eyes.
Father Leary was my Principal at Lourdes HS from 1960-64 and I always liked him very much. He attended most of our reunions and it was so nice to greet him and share some laughs. He was a good man and he'll be missed.