Plan for the Future
Robert J. Leary, 83, of Mountainside, NJ, passed peacefully on October 5, 2020. Robert was born in Linden, NJ to Eva and Timothy Leary on May 1, 1937. Robert attended St. Mary’s High School and lived in Union, NJ for many years before moving to Mountainside in 1990.
Robert served his country proudly in the Army Reserves. He was a parishioner and usher at both St. Michael’s Church in Union and Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Mountainside. Robert was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, 3rd degree. He held many occupations over the years; including MEI, Texize, Lawrys, co-owner/partner of Bell Tower Convenience Stores, owner/operator Pepperidge Farms and Dunkin Donuts Franchises
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Robert was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, enjoyed investing in the stock market and loved spending time with his beloved wife, children, grandchildren and friends. He dedicated time to distributing food and necessities, donated by local supermarkets, to food pantries and soup kitchens in Newark and Elizabeth. He was always one to help anyone in need or distress. He was a great lover of animals; always caring for multiple cats at home and watching Animal Planet and National Geographic. His greatest love was Cocoa, the “King”, his chocolate point Siamese cat.
Robert is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Ann Leary (nee Himmelman), his children Robert (Trish) Leary, Jr. and Colleen Leary, his grandchildren Megan (Steven) Brun, Timothy Leary, Erin Leary, Cailin Kassick, Ryan Kassick and Kelly Kassick, and his great-grandchildren Keegan and Delaney Brun. Robert is also survived by his sister, Kathleen Leary.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 9, 2020 at 10 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 300 Central Ave. Mountainside, NJ. Entombment Hollywood Memorial Park, Union. Visiting hours, Thursday, October 8, from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Bradley Haeberle & Barth Funeral Home, 1100 Pine Ave. Union. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s name may be made to: The Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Ave. Suite 1802, New York, NY, 10001. To send the family a condolence, please visit, www.www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com.
