William Deely Leahy

William Deely Leahy, 90, of Westfield died Sunday evening, September 28, 2008.

Born in Lee, MA, on May 3, 1918, he was the son of John T. and Katherine Leahy. He was raised in Lee and graduated from Lee High School in 1935. In 1943, he married Eileen (Dunn) Leahy of Pittsfield. They moved to Hartford, CT and later settled in Westfield, MA, in 1950, when he co-founded The Rowen-Leahy Company of Hartford, CT, a construction equipment business. Bill served as a salesman and Vice-President until his retirement in 1985. He served as President of the New England Equipment Distributors Association from 1962-1964 and maintained a long relationship with the organization. Bill proudly served the Westfield Retirement Board from 1962 until his death, earning him the distinction of being the longest serving appointee on a Retirement Board in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Bill was an excellent golfer who enjoyed playing at Tekoa Country Club for more than 50 years. He was a long time member of St. Mary's Church where he served on the Parish Council.

Bill is survived by three children: William F. and his wife Molly of Wilbraham, Mark K. and his wife Teresa of Northborough, and Sharon A. Fouche of Westfield. He leaves a loving sister, Marie Connolly, of Pittsfield. Bill loved spending time with his grandchildren, including Heather Keaveny, Carrie Callan, Kristin Howley, Meaghan Palmer, and Maureen, Patrick, Kate, and Kelly Leahy. He also leaves his cherished great-grandchildren Erin, Caitlin, and Alison Keaveny, Emma Callan, Connor Howley and Sean Leahy, and a dear friend, Mary Federici. Bill was predeceased by his loving wife of 55 years, Eileen, granddaughter Beth Eileen Fouche, son-in-law Gerald Fouche, brothers Jack and Ned Leahey, and a sister, Clare Welch.

A Mass in celebration of Bill's life will be held at St. Mary's Church, 30 Bartlett Street, Westfield, MA, on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. with burial immediately following in St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Mary's Church, 30 Bartlett St., Westfield, MA 01085. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Renaissance Manor of Westfield for their loving care of Bill.