I don’t know what made me think of you tonight, Mr. Leary, but I’m saddened to learn of your passing. 
I first met Mr.  Leary in 1984 when I bought some Cubs baseball cards from him on a Sunday morning at the flea market on 79th & Harlem Avenue. The next day, on the first day of school, I sat in the front row of my new English class. Neither of us knew that he would be my teacher and I would be his student! 
We would talk about baseball and when my favorite player, Bill Buckner, was traded to the Boston Red Sox, Mr. Leary thanked me and said how much he would enjoy his new first baseman. 
Rest in peace, Mr. Leary. You were an inspirational teacher, a kind person, and a great baseball fan.

I was very saddened to hear the news today. John was such a great guy and I enjoyed talking with him and Phyllis at the sports card show. I vended there for a while a few years back, enjoyed each time I did. 
Amy and I send our thoughts and prayers to Phyllis, family and friends  
Rest in peace my friend, it was a pleasure each and every time we spoke. You will be very much missed.

John was always a kind and wonderful person to me. I especially recall discussing his love of theatre with me at the Orland Park show.

My best wishes to Phyllis and family.

Mr. Leary was my cross country coach (01-03) and was a great mentor and friend. I'm really sorry to hear of his passing. All the best to his family. Rest in Peace John.

Mr. Leary was my tennis coach at Oak Lawn. I can still recall how fun Coach made practice. And although he was a great coach, he was an even better friend and mentor. My closest friends to this day are from that 2001 tennis team and I sense that is largely the result of the culture he instilled into the program. I speak for that group of friends in passing on our condolences to your family. "No pity in Spartan City". Donnacha O'Sullivan

Remembering Mr. Leary, passionate Forensics Coach (OLCHS '84-88), patient teacher, and role model family man. I'm sending back that encouraging look - the half-smile and kind eyes. It's no surprise that his presence enhanced the lives of so many. Phyllis, Steve and Kevin, my prayers are with you.

Mr. Leary was my forensics coach and my American Lit teacher.  He was kind and soft spoken.  Heaven is a richer place.  Thanks for everything.

I met John in the early 1980's through the baseball card hobby and attended many of his shows as both a seller and a buyer over the years. John and Phyllis were always 1st class in every way. A true pleasure to know. Rest in peace John. Phyllis and family, sincere condolences on your loss.

Mrs. Leary and your sons Steven-Kevin and family. I was so sadden by your husband-father-passing.He is out of his pain and in a wonderful place with son John-I have some wonderful memories being in his English class . He always reminded me to think of him first as a neighbor that also was my teacher too- They don't have many  teachers left that had his passion and commitment and I will treasure my memories . Carolyn Schumal

What a kind and influential man.  May he rest in peace.

Dear Leary Family,

I met John (he was always "Mr. Leary" to me) on my first day of freshman English class at Oak Lawn Community HS. He was a great teacher and mentor to me, and he recruited me to join the Forensics team on day one. He coached me in the Radio Speaking event, and he also recruited Barb Whiteaker to be my "silent" coach in this event. John, along with Barb W. and Tom Dzurison are by far the 3 greatest influences on me from my high school days. I was able to take what I had learned under John and apply that successfully in college radio (at NIU in DeKalb) and I also had a short "professional" career at at station in Elgin, Illinois. He also recruited me as a coach and judge at IHSA Forensics tournaments for OLCHS after high school.

I will remember Mr. Leary as a very gentle man who never failed to impart wisdom in his students and Forensics team members. I spoke with John via phone a few years ago, and he was still the same - a very wise, caring man who wanted the best for everyone that he touched. I will miss him.

Curt O'Hara
OLCHS Class of '78

Sorry for your loss. If you need anything Phyllis, we are here for you! 
Helen Librizzi and Family

Heartfelt sympathies to the Leary Family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May you be comforted by fond memories in the coming days.

Dear Aunt Phyllis and family,
May the love of family and friends soften your sadness, may the cherished memories bring you moments of comfort, and may lasting peace surround your grieving heart.... 
Uncle John is now with my Mom (his sister) and brothers.. I can only imagine the celebration going on in Heaven right now!
Love,
Irene Lynch and family

I knew John as the passionate and compassionate Speech Team Coach at Oak Lawn when I just started coaching for Carl Sandburg High School. John was a great mentor to me and to his Assistant Coach, Tom Dzurison. With his inspiration, Tom and I went on to be Head Coaches for Oak Lawn and Sandburg for over 25 years. He is missed. Much love to his family.

i have many fond memories of Mr. Leary. It is aPrivlage to have met him. 
He lived in the village, he coached me 4yrs., he taught me, mentored me. 
Mr. Leary certainly still inspires me. 

I HAVE DECIDED - was a notion/question that turned into a sort of mantra for the 1994 Cross Country team. I perceived then that it was was to inspire us to reach down and be better. So elegant and simple it resonates for me still. For a boy that grew up with no discipline it is still a notion, lesson now that I harness frequently. Learning to treat small Victories as a total win for the day. 
Yup, that was Coach Leary. Mr. Leary. More patient with me than most. 
I was too young to call you John and would not still. 
I'll always remember you. My Freind, as compassionate as they get. 

Johnny Hunt

So sorry to hear about Uncle Johnny's passing.  I always loved talking with him on the phone.  Mom looked forward to her calls with him and his letters.  We were so blessed when he and Phyllis visited us here in Florida.  He was a wonderful man, husband, father, brother and uncle.  We are truly sorry for your loss.  I'm sure the angels are happy now that all the Leary's are together.  Love to all of you.

I was fortunate to have had John as one of my high school English teachers at OLCHS in the mid sixties. He was an inspiring teacher and a fine role model. Sincere condolences to all his family. 
Susan Darrah

Our sincere prayers and love to the Leary family.  We met Mr. Leary over 17 years ago, when our son, Eric, began attending the Sports Card collectible shows at the Orland Park Civic Center with his dad. Mr. and Mrs. Leary were ALWAYS very kind, gracious, steadfast and professional. To this day, our son continues to trade and do business at the shows, even while living 2-1/2 hours away. We will truly miss Mr. Leary; he has left a great legacy.  God Bless.

I knew John as both a speech coach (I was at Sandburg) and from the baseball card shows in Orland park.  He was a good man.  He will be sorely missed.

Mr Leary was a  great man, wonderful educator and coach. When I was goofing off in one of his classes he recruited me on the spot to join the Forensic team. I enjoyed his guidance and friendship like many others who were lucky enough to know him. Rest in peace Coach!  Bill Hogate.  Class of 73

They say to teach is to touch a life.  Mr.Leary touched many lives.  He was one of the rare teachers who genuinely cared about his students.  I remember his gentle spirit and bright smile. RIP Mr. Leary.

Mr. Leary is the reason I went into the ministry. In 1980 he asked me to join the speech team because he was desperate for someone to fill a slot in Extemporaneous Speaking. I told him I couldn't because I was terrified of speaking in front of people. But he kept after me, and I finally relented to his gracious but determined pressure. Though I did a horrible job on the team, Mr. Leary's encouragement made me think that maybe someday I might be able to deliver a sermon without collapsing into a nervous mess. God bless you Mr. Leary. You changed my life for the better.

I was blessed to have John Leary as my English teacher at Oak Lawn High School and honored to have him and Phyllis as friends of my husband and I for more than 30 years.  Both John and Phyllis are wonderful people who have enriched my life just by knowing them.  I am so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful man and teacher.  He will always hold a special place in my heart.

I am sorry to hear of Johns passing.  Our once a month shows together will not be the same.

My sincerest  condolences. I have many fond memories both as a coach and a teacher. He will be missed by many. olchs 84-88

John was my coach in High School, as he was fo hundreds of others. He changed my life, and me more than he ever knew.

 Phyllis and Kevin your husband and dad was such a wonderful caring father and man. Sorry for your loss.

I was privileged to work with John Leary at OLCHS. Both students and staff admired and befriended him.
My condolences to his family.
Sharon (Drake) Passarelli

Mr. Leary was a wonderful teacher and a good person. He actually cared about his students. He will be missed. You will be in my prayers.

So sorry to hear of his passing. As my forensics coach for three years until graduation in 1970, "Mr. Leary" was a good friend and supportive coach. Spent many hours after school and on Saturdays on the bus going to tournaments with him. I remember his mischievous smile that conveyed his gentle spirit. Rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to the Leary Family. Mr. Leary was a wonderful teacher and a very kind man. Rest in peace Mr. Leary.

So very sorry to hear about the passing of this wonderfully, kind man. It was a pleasure to have been one of his students, and I will always remember him!

Dear Phillis, Steven and Kevin my deepest condolences to your family.

Sincerely,
Darin Collings Class of 84

Mr. Leary was an enormous influence on me and my friends as our English teacher and forensics team coach at OLCHS in the early 1970s. I'm sure we gave him some headaches. He probably never realized how he helped change the direction of my life, but his loved ones may want what good he did in the world. My sincere condolences.

Dear Phyllis we are so sorry for your loss and offer our deepest condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. Psalms 83:18

Dear Phyllis, Steve and Kevin,

My heart is heavy to learn this sad news.  Please accept my deepest sympathy on your loss of one so dear.

My sincerest condolences to the Leary Family,
Mr. Leary was one of my favorite teachers while I attended Oak Lawn Community High School in the 80s.  He was also a wonderful friend to my father who passed away many years ago.  I will always remember his baseball card shows at the Orland pavilion.  Rest in Peace Mr. Leary

Dear Mrs. Leary, Steve, Kevin and family, 

I just wanted to express my deepest sympathy.  You all are in my thoughts and prayers!!

May God's loving kindness and comfort help you and your family through this very sad time Psalms 29:11

OBITUARY

John W. Leary

March 4, 1930 – January 14, 2017

Blake-Lamb Funeral Home

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