A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 3 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Sparta for Deacon Gerard Leary, a retired Paterson Diocesan permanent deacon. He died on June 4. He was 87.
Deacon Leary was ordained in the Newark Archdiocese in 1975 and was incardinated in Paterson in 2006 after moving to Sparta. He faithfully served St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Sparta until his retirement in 2013.
Born in 1937 to George and Helen Leary of Jersey City, Deacon Leary served in the U.S. Army. He spent most of his career in municipal government in a variety of roles. He also served in many community organizations and on boards.
A devout Catholic, Deacon Leary was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also served as director of the Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless. Deacon Leary was ordained in the first class of permanent deacons of Newark in 1975. He lived God’s grace through his prayer and counseling with those who were addicted. He also performed weddings and baptisms for friends and family.
In 1961, Deacon Leary married Patricia Sheridan. They had six children and 14 grandchildren.
Deacon Leary is survived by Pat, his wife of 64 years; his daughter, Christine, her husband, Jimmy, and their children, Olivia and James; his daughter, Katy, her husband, Paul, and their children, Quinn and Ryan; his son, Gerry, his wife, Aimee, and their children, Griffin and Brendan; his daughter, Meghan, her husband Steve, and their children, Colin and Sarah; his son, Daniel, his wife, Kim, and their children, Cameron, Owen, and Brady; his daughter, Elizabeth, her husband, Frank, and their children, Juliette, Talia, and Maya; his brother, Eugene Leary of North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at the church the next morning.
Send condolences to Mrs. Patricia Leary, 33 Bridle Way, Sparta, N.J. 07871.
Make memorial donations in Deacon Leary’s name to the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, where his staff provided care during his final days. To donate, visit https://karenannquinlanhospice.org/elementor-17750/
