Dr. Joseph Timothy O'Leary Jr.

Dr. Joseph Timothy (Tim) O'Leary, Jr., of Girard, Pennsylvania, passed away on December 17, 2024, at his winter home in Casa Grande, Arizona, following a brief illness. He was 98.
Born at home at 312 Rice Ave in Girard on August 9, 1926, Tim was the beloved son of the late Dr. Joseph (Joe) O'Leary, Sr. and Edna Allene (Strodmeyer) O'Leary. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. John (Jack) O'Leary (Renee') of Newark, DE. and his first wife, Colette (Chenebi) O'Leary.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Margaret (Peggy) O'Leary; his sisters, Martha Gette (Dr. Richard) and Kathleen Moylan (Dr. George) of North East, PA; his children, Marie O'Leary-Stark (Paul) of Orange Village, OH; Bridget Smith (Erich) of Newport Beach, CA; M. Ellen Collins (Dennis) of Painesville, OH; and J. Timothy O'Leary III of Owego, NY. He also leaves behind eight cherished grandchildren: Jeremy Stark (GinaMarie), Carly Stark, Kayleigh Collins, Brielle Collins, John O'Leary, Juniper Smith, Bea Smith, and Winifred Smith; as well as many dear nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
A small family service was held December 30, 2024 at Edder Funeral Home, 309 Main St. E, Girard, PA followed by a burial at St. John Cemetery.
A memorial Mass will take place at Saint John the Evangelist Church in Girard, August 16, 2025 at 11:00am. Following Mass the family invites friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Tim at the American Legion, 42 Wall St, Girard, PA 16417.
Tim's academic achievements were many. He attended Battles Memorial School and was honored with the American Legion Award. He graduated from Girard Union High School in just three years at the age of 16. At Allegheny College, he earned recognition as Best Debater over three states before moving on to the University of Pittsburgh, where he completed a three-year Pre-Dental program and was inducted into the Phi Beta Sigma honorary society. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry in 1948, graduating with the highest honors. Tim was a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon, a National Dental Honor Society and the Cryer Honor Society, the highest dental honors. He also served as President of his dental school class and was active in Xi Psi Phi dental fraternity. While in school, he proudly volunteered to serve in the Navy's V-12 program.
His postgraduate work included studies in Crown and Bridge at the University of Pittsburgh, Periodontics at the University of Alabama, and Oral Surgery and Anesthesia at St. Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland. He returned home to practice dentistry alongside his father, Dr. Joseph O'Leary, Sr., and his aunt, Dr. Bertha P. O'Leary, forming the O'Leary Dental Group and was later joined by other family members in the practice. Theirs was the first professional practice incorporated under Pennsylvania's Professional Association Act.
In 1953, Tim volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army Dental Corps and was stationed in Sampigny, France, as a Captain. Upon his return from service, he continued practicing dentistry in Girard for decades, attracting patients from across the country who traveled by plane, train, and automobile for their regular dental care.
Dr. O'Leary was a leader in his profession. He was President of the PA 9th District Dental Society, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, and a member of the prestigious Pierre Fauchard Academy (an honor held by less than 3% of dentists worldwide). He also held memberships in the American Dental Association and the Royal Society of Health, and served on the staffs of Pleasant Ridge Manor, St. Vincent Hospital, and Hamot Hospital. His civic involvement included service on the boards of the Crippled Children's Society, Gannon University, Security People's Trust Company, PennBank and later National City Bank.
Outside of work, Tim was known as a "Gourmet Gourmand" and always sought a great bottle of wine or bottle of German lager to enjoy with a fine meal. He always enjoyed traveling and learning. He especially loved practicing the Irish language and his Irish jokes! He was a long-time member of numerous clubs, including the Lake Shore Country Club (charter family), Erie Maennerchor Club, Aviation Club, East Erie Turners Club, Erie Club, Exchange Club, Rotary Club, and American Legion Post #494. He was a devout Catholic and dedicated parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church. In recent years, he enjoyed dining deals at the Siebenbuerger Club.
Tim valued education and the church over almost everything. (except maybe golf!) He would much appreciate any donations to: St. John Parish (Cemetery upkeep); 1001 Main Street E, P.O. Box 32 Girard PA 16417
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