Michael J. O'Leary Jr.

1945 - 2022

Michael J. O'Leary Jr. died on April 11, 2022, after a long battle with dementia. Mike was the beloved husband of Kathleen Alice O'Leary (nee Breen) for 55 years. Together, they raised five children. Mike was born on August 27, 1945, the son of the late Michael J. O'Leary and Florence McBreen O'Leary. Mike, the second child of five, grew up in post-war Levittown, NY, and Old Bethpage, Long Island, New York. Mike attended Chaminade High School, where he met and became friends with Dennis Breen, the older brother of Kathy. Mike was drawn to the warm, bustling Breen household, where Marion and Dennis Breen, his future in-laws, frequently welcomed him into their busy home filled with nine children. Mike graduated from Fordham University in 1967 and began a long career in finance, where Mike's ultimate calling was to help manage money for and provide advice to those entrusted with managing other people's pensions. Mike successfully passed the exams to earn the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst. Ultimately, Mike became a consultant with Callan Associates where his reputation as a trusted advisor to institutional investors and pension plan trustees grew. As a consultant, Mike was a "road warrior," traveling weekly to meet with clients throughout the western states and Alaska. Just prior to his retirement, Mike was recognized by industry publications for his lifetime of service to institutional investors and he was also honored by the Alaska State Legislature for his extraordinary service to present and future generations of Alaskans for over two decades of work done on behalf of their pension and permanent funds. Despite his heavy workload and travel requirements, Mike embraced the role of father and role model. He and Kathy encouraged their children to be involved in sports, civic and Church organizations. Mike and Kathy were active volunteers in their children's endeavors. Mike's love of youth sports and community service would continue throughout his life. Mike served in various ministries in his church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Mead. Mike is survived by his wife Kathy, and four of their children, Michael (Mary Virginia "Mimi") O'Leary, Sean (Krista) O'Leary, Suzanne (Matthew) Donohoe, and James (Shannon) O'Leary, and twelve grandchildren-Joe, Mary Kate and Jack O'Leary (parents-Michael and Mimi), Kalenn, Sean and Charlie O'Leary (parents Sean and Krista), Mae, Annie and Emmet Donohoe (parents Suzanne and Matt) and Jordan Lockner, Kellen and Reilly O'Leary (parents James and Shannon). He is also survived by a large extended family, including over forty nieces and nephews, two dozen in-laws, his brother Conall O'Leary, sister Maureen O'Leary-Farr, brother Peter O'Leary, and brother Daniel (Diane) O'Leary. Mike was preceded in death by his beloved son Edward Thomas (Teddy) O'Leary. Visitation will be held at Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman St, Longmont on Tuesday, April 19 from 2pm to 4:00 pm and from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, immediately followed by a rosary service beginning at 8:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 109 3rd St, Mead, CO on Wednesday April 20 at 9:30am. Following Mass, Mike will be laid to rest at the Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont near the resting place of his son Teddy. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mike's honor can be made to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer's Association.