Denis J. O'Leary

Denis Joseph O’Leary (1936-2025) passed away peacefully on August 7th, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Born in Kanturk, Cork, Ireland, the family moved to New York City in 1947. Denis joined the US Air Force after High School, beginning what would become a life-long love of travel. Serving initially in Japan, Hawaii, Spain and Germany, he saw duty in Vietnam, followed by several years at the Pentagon and New England before retiring as a Major. While in Germany he met his beloved wife Christa (1938-2023) with whom he would have three daughters: Maureen Ward (Kevin), Diane Smith (Jeremy) and Susan O'Leary (Mike Longo)

From the Air Force Denis joined Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor and then Branch Manager in Nanuet and West Nyack, NY. An avid volunteer and supporter of his community in Rockland County, Denis was a founding member of the Friendly Sons of St Patrick, and served as chairman of Rockland United Way. He chaired or served on the boards of Nyack Hospital, Rockland Business Association, Rotary International, Girl Scout Council and Rockland Country Club. He had served on St Thomas Aquinas Board of Trustees for 24 years, when in 2013 they conferred on him an Honorary Doctor of Science degree to go with his earlier BS from Syracuse and MBA from Rochester.

His passion for travel took him to 70 countries. He and Christa took many memorable trips in the company of their closest friends — the highlight of which was a 23 day trip around the world on the Concorde.

Denis is survived by his daughters, seven grandchildren Matthew (Charlotte), Mark (Kristine), Jamieson (Caroline), Brian (Katie), Rebecca, Ashley and Lauren and one great-grandson (Jake), his brother Jerry O'Leary, and his sister Eileen Jamieson. He is predeceased by his brother Patrick O'Leary, and his siter Kathleen O'Brien.

In many respects Denis lived the American Dream. From humble beginnings in rural southwest Ireland, to formative years in the great metropolis of New York City, a life of service and travel in the Air Force, followed by the highs and lows of the stock market during his time at Merrill Lynch. He was a devoted family man, irrepressible Irish-American, teller of wonderful stories and an avid golfer. Denis even made an astounding 5 holes-in-one! A man of deep belief in community, Church and Country — he will be sorely missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11:00 AM Monday, August 18, 2025 at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the Very Rev. Gavin J. Badway celebrant.

Burial with Military Honors will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, Florida. Please assemble in Lane 1 at 10:15 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Trustbridge Hospice.

Arrangements are in the care of Tillman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2170 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida.