Name: Calling hours for Peter J. Leahy
Start: 2024-08-18T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-08-18T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Sisk Brothers Funeral Home - Hamden

Peter J. Leahy
Peter Leahy, a man of faith and integrity, passed into the hands of God at home on August 12th, 2024 after a long illness. He was 88 and passed with loving family surrounding him. Pete is survived by his devoted wife Carol, his children Lisa Wiemert, Laura Molnar (David) and Kevin Leahy (Laurie); also mourning is his sister Mary Lee DeBisschop. Born in Fair Haven, CT to Vera and Christopher Leahy on 8/4/1936, Pete attended St. Francis School, St. Mary's High School and Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). He excelled at sports in high school and played three years of football at SCSU; some of his career achievements include being named the MVP of the 1955 New Haven Park Recreations Football League and being elected to the New Haven Grid Iron Hall of Fame in 1991. He played golf his entire life, having played mostly at Southington Country Club, but also across the United States and in Ireland and Scotland. After graduating SCSU, he became a teacher at Eli Whitney Technical School and in 1959, he married Patricia Lyons. Together, they travelled, engaged in sports and created lasting family traditions enjoyed by all. They were married for 54 years until Patricia's death in 2013 and were blessed with 10 grandchildren. They are Kara Venus (Matt), Katy Bouchard (Tyler), Kristin Wiemert, Nicholas and Delaney Molnar, Molly Debacher (Brian), Connor Leahy (Sam) and Ryan, John and Paul Leahy, and great-grandchildren Harper Venus and Adelaide Bouchard. All have special memories of "Poppy." Pete transferred to Platt Tech in 1982 where he ultimately became Director before retiring in 1992. Since then, Pete spent 28 years as Volunteer Chairperson of the Development Committee at St. Francis and edited the school's periodicals each year for alumni. For 25 years he organized and ran a golf tournament which benefitted St Francis School. For all his community work, he received the Catholic School Volunteer of the Year award in 2001. Pete and Carol Cassidy Murphy, both classmates of the St. Mary's High School Class of 1954, reunited in 2014 and married later that year at the age of 78. They had 10 wonderful years together. Carol brought to the marriage 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Pete is loved and will be mourned by all on all sides of his family. Pete was faithful to his God, his family, his lifelong friends, his beginnings, and of course, GOLF. Well done, good and faithful servant. A special thanks to Smilow 7N nurses, aides and staff especially Errin who skillfully and lovingly treated him. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial for Pete on Monday August 19th at St Francis Church (397 Ferry St, New Haven, CT) at 10:30 a.m. Friends are asked to go directly to church. Burial in All Saints Cemetery Calling hours will be held at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Avenue Hamden on Sunday from 3-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations made in Pete's memory to All Saints Academy (formerly St Francis School) at 423 Ferry St, New Haven, CT 06513 will be greatly appreciated. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.siskbrothers.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The New Haven Register on Aug. 14, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter Leahy

Sponsored by NHRegister.com.

12 Entries

John E. Bud DeGennaro

August 23, 2025

Mr. Leahy was my Guidance Cpounselor in the Class of 1975. He helped me throughout HS and after by landing me my first job in my Trade at Eastern Press through a chance meeting at the wawa down the street after Graduation. I will forever be grateful for Mr. Leahy's guidance.

Paul Lepri

February 16, 2025

I remember Mr. Leahy very well from my childhood into my adult years. I never had the good fortune to have him as one of my teachers, but I did have the good fortune to know him for many years. He and my father, Alphonse Lepri were colleagues at Eli Whitney for many years. I remember watching Mr. Leahy coach the Eli Whitney basketball team for many years and got to know him a lot better during the many Eli Whitney Family Day Picnics that were held that my Dad, my Mom, and I always attended.
After my Dad passed away in 2007, Mr. Leahy and Mr. Tomasich came to our home to visit my Mom to offer their condolences which is something I will always remember. I also sat with both Mr. Leahy and Mr. Tomasich at the Boardman Trade Eli Whitney Tech Alumni Association Dinner (which my Dad always attended) a few months after my Dad passed when they paid tribute to him, giving me a special plaque in his memory as being the Most Recognized Teacher at Eli Whitney. I have fond memories of Mr. Leahy and will always remember his many kindnesses. One of the classiest men I have ever met in my lifetime. Mr. Leahy, may you rest in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You have no idea how many lives you touched over the years. Well done!

My sincere heartfelt condolences to your family.

Paul Lepri

Jerry Borrelli

September 8, 2024

I graduated from Eli Whitney Tech as part of the class of 1964 and have very fond memories of Peter Leahy as my physical education teacher as well as my basketball coach. We reunited, I believe, in 2014 at one of our class reunions and again a few years later at the Wallingford Y. It was that reconnect where I learned about his move to Wallingford and his remarriage. Following that we made a point of getting together for coffee at a local stop and really catching up. Bringing my 1964 class yearbook was a great catalyst for conversation. Living in town and driving by the condo complex where he resided on a street in the center of town kept him in mind until now. Lastly, reading his obituary taught me so much about the fabulous and complete life that he had. Rest in peace.

Gary & Beth Testa

Planted Trees

John E. Bud "knapsack" DeGennaro

August 18, 2024

Eli Whitney Class of 1975, Mr. Leahy was my most favorite person and an awesome Guidance Counselor! Mr' Leahy, after graduation told me to call him Pete, got me a job at Eastern Press in my Profession and took me out for my 6hrs on the road for Driver's Ed in my Senior year! I will always love you Mr. Leahy. May our Lord Jesus Christ rest your soul.

Joe Esposito

August 17, 2024

Mr Leahy was not only my physical education teacher but also my basketball coach. Eli Whitney was rated a class B school elevated to play a class A schedule which made his job more challenging. Meaning playing bigger and better teams. Through Pete’s patience and perseverance he developed our skills. By practicing daily we developed a better understanding of the game which led to teamwork and camaraderie. Thanks for the memories “Coach “. RIP Joe Esposito 1962 “Dream Team”

Gale Tirrell

August 16, 2024

I was blessed to have Pete as my mentor when I joined Platt Tech as an assistant director after many years as a classroom teacher. Pete was firm, fair
but also kind with both students and teachers. He also demonstrated much courage in some incidents
such as an encounter with Marvin, a very large student who had been sent to the office and was trying to get away. Pete was a no-nonsense guy who did his job well. Playing basketball in the gym with the teachers who were trying to beat the students in a match during a fun event in front of the student body
Pete scored many points to help the teachers win. He started the Platt Tech Road Race, participating himself.
The climate at Platt had changed...It had become a happy place! Student attendance rose and expectations continued to be high through out his
tenure at Platt.
Pete loved his family, taking them skiing in the winter and to a Lake in New Hampshire in the summer. In retirement he did much to raise money for his Catholic High School. His was a life well-lived! May God Bless Pete

Dominic Della Rocca

August 15, 2024

one of my favorite teachers ever at Eli Whitney class of 1962
so many good memories of him even though our class drove him crazy he was always fair with us
We even invited him to our 50th year class reunion which he attended and made a wonderful speech and was so happy to see everyone
Just a wonderful person
Dominic Della Rocca
Senior class President 1962

Gene LaPorta

August 15, 2024

When First met Pete, I was a rookie counselor in the CT Tech High School system and he was the Guidance Director at Eli Whitney. Back then Pete was of those larger-than-life guys who helped make his school a shining jewel in the system. He became Assistant Director at Platt Tech and at the State Board meeting in 1987 we were both confirmed; Pete as Platt´s Principal and myself to the AD position at Wright Tech. Fortune smiled and I was lucky to get back and work for Pete in 1990. There were very few like Mr. Leahy, as my daughters always addressed him, simply because Pete took a school with decent foundation, but no true cohesive point between students and teachers, and taught all of us how to play together. As a former PE teacher, Pete was an avid athlete who invariably dominated student-teacher competition. Beat Pete´s feet became the mantra for Platt´s annual road race he created; symbolic of his attention to educating both kids´ minds and bodies. Staff enjoyed his easy-going demeanor while respecting Pete´s authority, which is a hard combination to beat. He was also a family man, which greatly influenced his treatment of students, leaving an educational model and indelible legacy to his school. While I am deeply saddened by his loss, I am grateful for the time I was able to work with him. My and my family´s sincere condolences to all the Leahy´s. You are in our prayers.

Ann Malafronte

August 14, 2024

Peter was a dear friend and colleague of mine for 45 years! A finer man was never born! Pete was a caring and devoted guidance counselor at Eli Whitney and an outstanding assistant director and Director at Platt Tech in Milford for many years! If I was ill, Pete came to visit. When George Tomasich could no longer drive Pete picked him up and drove him to Narragansett to see me! Whatever you needed, Pete was there. He brought school spirit back to Platt Tech and the basketball court was named for him as an honor! Such a great man, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to his adoring family! RIP dear friend!

Alphonse Milone

August 14, 2024

I graduated from Eli Whitney 1962. Pete was my gym teacher and basketball coach. I could not have known a better person than Pete.RIP
Al Milone

vincent mooney

August 14, 2024

my name is Vincent mooney,I graduated from Eli Whitney in 1961, Pete was a tremendous person, great teacher, and a lot of fun to be around, everyone in our class loved Pete, I played golf with him in Florida years ago, when I met him with a friend I called him Mr. Leahy, he said to me you graduated you can call me Pete, a great person and a true gentleman, r.i.p.

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