Daniel Edward O'Leary

Dan O’Leary, 86, was a first-generation American born to Jeremiah O’Leary and Mary Singleton O’Leary on June 21, 1937, and who passed away on December 7, 2023. Dan emerged from a band of very sharp and witty Irish sheepherders settled on the High Desert in the small town of Paisley, Oregon. It became apparent early on that neither the sheep- nor the cattle-ranching gene had been passed on to Dan, so he was packed off to school. After (mostly) avoiding Jesuit discipline and immersing himself in Jesuit education and values at Gonzaga Prep, Gonzaga University, and a brief stint at University of Portland, he settled in Portland, got his J.D. at the Northwestern School of Law and set up shop as a trial lawyer.

Dan met his North Star and the love of his life, Patricia Schmitz, in church. For real. Because the Downtown Chapel in the early 1960’s was a known dating hot spot. Married for sixty years on December 28 of this year, Dan and Pat raised a family while Gentleman Dan, as he was known in the Portland legal community, fostered his long, distinguished law career. Dan was a master trial lawyer who advanced respect for the law with his humor, his ability, and his grace. True to his nickname, Dan was a gentle man who approached everyone with empathy, was interested in hearing everyone’s story, who found humor in everything and delighted in making people smile. He loved ice cream and cookies at any hour of the day. Dan is survived by fifteen grandchildren, three grand-dogs, and his children: Joan (Michael), Sheila (Marty), Dana, Bob (Eileen), Maura (Eric), all of whom love him dearly.

While dementia tried to dim Dan’s light in the most recent years, his essential humor, humanity, and love for his wife always shone through. The family would like to recognize and thank the heroes at Touchmark – West Hills’ Maple Neighborhood for their steadfast compassion and care during the past few months.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 27 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (13715 SW Walker Rd, Beaverton). A celebration of life reception will follow after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Dan’s memory can be made to St. Andrews Legal Clinic (2950 SE Stark Suite 200, Portland, OR 97214) or CASA (1401 NE 68th Avenue, Portland, OR 97213). If you’re unable to join us, grab a stack of cookies and some coffee, and celebrate a life well lived!