Terence (Terry) Powers Leahy, Beloit, WI  (1940 - 2012)

January 23, 1940 - November 21, 2012
Terry Leahy, Captain US Navy (retired), 72, of Beloit, WI, died peacefully at Beloit Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. He successfully battled multiple myeloma for nine years and was still in remission when he experienced a brief illness and passed away. Terry was surrounded by his loving wife of 50 years, Polly Leahy; children: Ann (Matt Austin) of Madison, WI, Michael (Mary) Leahy of Chicago, IL, and Mark (Allison) Leahy of Chicago, IL; Terry was a proud member of the Leahy Full House, which includes siblings: John (Sheila) Leahy of Lake Arrowhead, CA, Thomas (Mary) Leahy of Lyndhurst, OH, Mary Jo Leahy (Gene Johnson) of Aurora, CO, and Maureen Ellis. He was the adoring grandfather of Kate and Connor Austin, Nora and Megan Leahy, and Audrey Leahy; and uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry J. and Elinor (Powers) Leahy; and sister, Maureen.
Terry was born on Jan. 23, 1940, in Chicago, IL, the son of Harry J. and Elinor (Powers) Leahy. He graduated from Loyola Academy and earned a B.S. in Economics from John Carroll University. Terry married Polly Hollister on Nov. 3, 1962, in St. Benedict’s Church, Fontana, WI. Terry proudly served his country for over 32 years in the U.S. Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Sumner County (LST 1148), was a Vietnam War veteran, and was recalled to active duty for Desert Shield. Duty tours included Korea, Bahrain, London, Guam and the United States of America. Terry was a member of former U.S. Rep. and Secretary of Defense Leslie “Les” Aspin, U.S. Sen. Robert Kasten, and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan’s U.S. Naval Academy Selection Boards. He also served on the National Defense Committee Advisory Board for Wisconsin.
Terry's career included 18 years of investment experience at Goodbody & Co.; Mosely, Hallgarten & Estabrook, Inc.; Robert W. Baird & Co.; and retiring in 2003 from Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. He was the former Vice President, Treasurer and Director of Lakeside Fusee Corporation. He and Polly owned and operated Sylvan Learning Center in Janesville, WI, for more than 26 years. Terry was a member of the Boards of Directors at Blackhawk Bank and Finley-Denker Buick in Beloit.
A loyal member of Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Parish for nearly 40 years, Terry was particularly proud to have helped lead the building committee for OLA's new church.
Deeply committed to his community, Terry was a member of the Boards of Directors for the Family Services of Beloit, the Stateline United Givers Fund, Inc. (VP), the Stateline Boys and Girls Clubs, Inc. (Past President), and the Rotary Club of Beloit (Past President). He also was involved in fundraising and volunteer efforts for Beloit Catholic High School, Paul's Computer Institute in Cameroon, Africa, and the USS LST Ship Memorial.
Terry was an avid sailboat racer throughout his life, and a former member of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club.
The Leahy family would like to thank all of the medical professionals at Froedtert and The Medical College of Wisconsin and Beloit Health System, Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl for his loyal friendship as well as all of Terry's friends and family who supported him throughout his fight against multiple myeloma.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, from 5 until 8 p.m. at DALEY MURPHY WISCH & ASSOCIATES FUNERAL HOME AND CREMAOTIUM, 2355 Cranston Road in Beloit, WI, with a Scripture service at 4:45 p.m. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH, 2222 Shopiere Road, Beloit, WI, with Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Thabor Cemetery.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations in Terry's memory may be made to Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 2222 Shopiere Road, Beloit, WI 53511; or Beloit Memorial Hospital Foundation, 1969 W. Hart Rd, Beloit, WI 53511.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.daleymurphywisch.com.