Joseph-Leavey-Obituary

Lt. Joseph G. Leavey

Pelham, New York

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Pelham, New York

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The Pleasure of Looking Up
Joseph Leavey had a crush on skyscrapers. He could stand for hours outside a high-rise and marvel at it. He always wanted to become a firefighter, but he became an engineer in the construction industry because of his affection for buildings. Then he became a firefighter.

His favorite spot was Battery Park City. His favorite buildings: the World Trade Center. It was his habit to take his family to Lower Manhattan, so he could soak in the dimensions of the trade center. He took endless pictures of the buildings, sometimes lying flat on his back.

As a lieutenant with Ladder 15 in the South Street Seaport, Mr. Leavey, 45, was one of the first firefighters to reach the trade center on Sept. 11.

He lived in Pelham, N.Y., with his wife, Carole, a son, Brian, 16, and a daughter, Caitlin, 10. A stepdaughter, Kerri, 26, lives in Manhattan.

"Joe was a real people person," Carole Leavey said. "There wasn't a person in Pelham Joe didn't know."

For the family Christmas card, he often tried to get a family portrait set somewhere amid New York's skyscrapers. No one forgot the time he hustled them to the top of the Citicorp building so he could shoot them with the New York skyline in the background.

"I swear it must have been 20 degrees below zero," said his stepdaughter. "The winds were like 100 miles an hour."

It turned out the picture was overexposed. So Mr. Leavey substituted a photo of the family in front of the New York Stock Exchange.

Guest Book

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Happy Birthday Joseph. Missing you and sending you our love always. Remembering your bravery and your unselfish heart. Please keep praying for us. We love you. Ask Our Lord to please continue to watch over us and raise us up through the challenging times we are facing. Please tell Him that we love Him and trust in Him and thank Him for His many graces. You are forever loved and not forgotten! EVER!! Your sister Nora, brother-in-law Steve and your godchild Christine

Joseph i just want to say happy birthday (69) in heaven. Miss you alot.please keep a wach over tim and i.send my love to mom and dad for me and say hi to jim ok.love you.your sister patty.

2 weeks ago, Steve and I were at the North Greece Fire House to once again remember the heroes of that horrific day. Thank you to those towns all over the USA who participate in Stair Climbs and Remembrance services for those who perished that day. We love you Joseph and we will never forget! We will honor your sacrifice by keeping your memory alive in the way we have carried on in the tradition of service to others. Your brothers who serve on a daily basis will never forget either for sure....

9/11 Memorial Climb . 2024

I Climbed the stairs in The Tower of the americas in San Antonio, TX. This year (2024) I got your tag to be able to honor you and take you all the way to the top and get you back down. It was an honor to be able to do that, from now on I will take with me every year. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Being a neighbor of Joseph growing up in Inwood, he was always a true gentleman. He and his family were "our family" as well. You are thought of not only on 9/11 but always as well as the many others we've known. Thoughts & prayers to his sisters Maureen, Nora, Patty & their families. Joseph, you are a true HERO & you will Never Be Forgotten. May you Rest in Peace. Mary Ann Cassidy-Collins & family

Joseph it has been 23yrs since you left us on that day september 11 .miss you alot. Keep watching over me ok. Send my love to mom and dad and now jim your brother-in-law. God bless your sister patty

thank you for always being there for your family, friends and community. Wish I know you but you have a wonderful wife who I admire so much. I'm sure you would be very proud of your children. I think of all the firemen, police and all the people lost that horrible day. I listen to all the names that are spoken on 9/11 for the past 22 years always with tears streaming and want to thank you for your service. RIP
Warm wishes. Barbara

Here it is one week past the September 11th life-changing event that impacted our family so intimately and painfully. We remember Joseph for his deep passionate sense of caring for others. We honor his memory for his sacrifice and most importantly keep alive his example of what it means to be of service. Our hearts still feel the pain but we at the same time feel a sincere sense of pride that he was and always a reliable, honest, kind and caring individual as a son, brother, husband,...

Dear Joseph, I think of you often, especially around 9/11 and remember what a sweet kid you were. Maureen and I were terrific friends and I loved your family like crazy. Wish I could talk to her again. God bless you, Joseph and thank you for being the hero that you are. I'll see you in Glory one day in the not-too- distant future.