Kevin Joseph Dunleavy

1933 - 2016

Kevin Joseph Dunleavy died peacefully at home on Friday, July 8, 2016, surrounded by his family and friends. He had recently celebrated his 83rd birthday with his grand and elegant style while battling the ravages of Alzheimer's disease. Funeral: A graveside service will be held at a later date in Greenpoint, NYC at First Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorials: It was Kevin's wish that memorials should be made to the finest youth orchestra in the country, the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, 4401 Trail Lake Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76109. Kevin Joseph Dunleavy was born on May 31, 1933, in New York City to his proud Irish parents, Denis Dunleavy and Jane Dalton Dunleavy, emigrants from West Meath, Ireland. He grew up in Greenpoint and attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, Brooklyn Tech and Queens College. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War. Upon returning to Greenpoint, he was employed by United Airlines at Idlewild Airport. In 1960 he married Sylvia Jonsson and they had three children, Mark, Amy and Chris. During this year he applied for a job as a missile installation engineer for Convair (General Dynamics) and worked on the Atlas Missile Project until it ended. Kevin became a technical representative to the U.S. Air Force F-86, F-16 and F-111 aircraft, which took him around the world. Mark, Amy and Chris attended school in the Cotswolds in England and lived in Rosemary's Cottage, a favorite memory for them. Kevin retired in 1994 with 34 years of service to General Dynamics/Lockheed Fort Worth. Well-known for his impeccable and gracious manner, Kevin was a person who never met a stranger. Nicknamed "Smiley" as a young lad, his smile and his sparkling blue eyes were endearing to all. And, if you were lucky enough to spend some time with Kevin, he would regale you with the stories of growing up in Greenpoint; swimming in the East River and McCarren Park; boyhood pranks with his schoolmates from St. Anthony's and his adventures throughout his life. He was also quite an artist specializing in the figure drawings of comic book heroes like Captain Marvel. Kevin married Willa McGovern Barminski on St. Patrick's Day in 1999. They returned annually to NYC for the St. Patrick's Day Parade and traveled often to visit their large extended family of seven children and 11 grandchildren. Holidays and special events were memorable as Kevin would arrive looking dapper in his red velvet dinner jacket. This delighted the grandchildren as they adored their Papa and his savoir-faire. Rudyard Kipling was a favorite poet, and he often recited one of his favorites, "Gunga Din." He attended all of the rehearsals and concerts of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra in support of Willa's passion for the music education of all children, and was a regular attendee at the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra concerts. Kevin was a member of the Fort Worth Club and Holy Family Catholic Church. Kevin was beloved by all who knew him. He was a humble man who took great pride in helping others in need. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Denis and wife, Therese; and his beloved son, Mark Dunleavy, a Navy pilot. Survivors: He is survived by his wife, Willa McGovern Barminski Dunleavy; daughter, Amy Hetzler Milner and husband, Brian Milner, Fort Worth; son, Christopher and wife, Susan Reed Dunleavy, Boston; their mother, Sylvia Jonsson Dunleavy, Fort Worth; Willa's children, Mike and Joan Roberts Barminski, Ventura, Rachel Barminski Bounds, Santa Fe, Bob and Caroline Quirk Barminski, Hollister, Mary Barminski Johnson and Brad Johnson, Austin, and Bill and Melissa Bulick Barminski, Los Angeles. The 11 above average grandchildren are Laine Hetzler, Collin Hetzler, Hoby Milner, Katie Dunleavy, Jack Dunleavy, Michael Bounds, Robert Barminski, Alexandria Barminski and husband, Chris Hakes, Michael Barminski, Lizzie Barminski and Brennen Johnson. Additionally he is survived by the six children of his brother Denis and Therese Dunleavy: Mary Jane Dunleavy, Matthew and Yolanda Dunleavy, Lawrence and Kathryn Dunleavy, Denis Dunleavy, Jr., Nancy and Frank McKeon, Margaret and Ray Jackson. The family sends their love and admiration for all caregivers who are compassionate in their service to those afflicted with illness.