April 16, 1949 – November 7, 2022
James L. O’Leary, a resident of Reading for over forty years, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2022, at Care One in Wilmington after a long illness. He was 73 years of age. James was born on April 16, 1949, the son of the late Lewis and Helen (Griffin) O’Leary.
James was born and raised in Dorchester, he graduated from Cathedral High School and then Bentley University. James moved to Reading in 1981 and, with his former wife Paula, raised their children, Jenna, Justin, and Shannon. He was a long-serving member of the Knights of Columbus and dedicated parishioner of Saint Agnes Parish in Reading. James enjoyed being a grandfather to his four grandchildren, Kylie, Connor, Francesca, and Steven.
James was the former husband of Paula M. (Rodrigues) O’Leary. Devoted father of Jenna M. Iannelli and her husband Steven of Wakefield, Justin J. O’Leary of Reading and Shannon M. O’Leary and her fiancé Nicholas Stevenson of Stoneham. Brother of Janet Amrock and her husband Paul of Wilmington and Virginia Bogan and her husband James of Kansas. Loving grandfather of Kylie and Connor O’Leary, Francesca and Steven Iannelli. Uncle to nieces and nephews.
Funeral from the Douglass, Edgerley, and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading on Wednesday, November 16 at 9:30am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Agnes Church 186 Woburn St. Reading at 10:30am. Burial is private. Funeral Home visiting hours Tuesday 4:00-7:00pm. A service will be given by the members of the Knights of Columbus Council 1031 at 6:00pm.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in James’s memory to the Reading food Pantry 6 Salem St. Reading, MA 01867.
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