Daniel Raymond "Danny" Leahy

1936 - 2013

Daniel Leahy was born August 28, 1936, in San Francisco, Calif. He married Patricia Perry on August 31, 1957, and became father to Kathy in 1959 and Danny Jr. in 1961. He came to Southern California, and found sobriety in 1968. At the ABC Club's humble beginnings, he lived in the Biskra Street residence, and eventually took over running the Club. He met Helen Hogue there in 1969, and they married on February 24, 1971. The Board named him Executive Director, and Helen Co-Executive Director, through February 2008. The two became the faces of the ABC Club, as thousands of people passed through it, and changed their lives because of the Leahys and the ABC Club programs. Bill White, former Chief Financial Officer of the Club, said," Dealing with people, with alcoholics-nobody could ever be as effective as Danny." Leahy often participated in court, where judges developed a great appreciation for his offering residence at the ABC Club as a viable alternative to the penitentiary - with great success. As the ABC Club grew, so did Danny's reputation. He is survived by his daughter Kathy Leahy Ellison and her Husband Steve of Placerville, Calif., and their children Stephanie Dablin (32) and Stacy Ellison (31) and Stephanie's children Michael (3) and Katelyn (2). He is survived by his son Danny Leahy Tomasello of San Burno, Calif. and his children Christopher (25) and Nicole (22) Tomasello. He is also survived by his stepchildren from Helen's prior marriage, Dawn Randeals (56), Michael Morgan (54) and his wife Alexandra, and Renee Staten (53) and her husband Marvin. Helen Leahy predeceased him in January of 2011. Danny Leahy passed away in his sleep on Sunday, February 10, 2013. He had just celebrated 45 years of sobriety. A memorial service in his honor will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 10:00 am, at South West Community Church, at Washington Street and Fred Waring Drive in Indian Wells.