Obituary of Robert R Leavy

Robert R. Leavy passed peacefully on Tuesday, November 12th following a brave fight against cancer of the blood.  He shared 73 years of love, faith and integrity with everyone he knew.   Friends and relatives may visit from 8 am to 10 am on Monday, November 18th at the Norman Dean Home For Services, Denville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated after the wake at 10:30 am at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 10 North Pocono Rd, Mountain Lakes.  Interment with military honors to follow at the Northern New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Sparta.  Flowers are lovely, but he would appreciate donations in his name to Hackensack University Hospital to find a cure for MDS or to the NNJ Veterans Cemetery by way of www.inmemof.org to continue their mission. Please share your memories here.  Rob’s family will cherish them forever. 

Born in March of 1946, Rob was one of four sons to bless the Leavy family.  After his schooling he volunteered to join the service and proudly served with the US Navy.  Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home and worked at Jaycee Electrical Supply House for 17 years.  He met Joanne Szewczyk and the rest was history.  They settled in Parsippany where they raised five children.  As the years went on Rob owned a tool sharpening business and then found his spot opening up Home Depots across NJ.  He was a talented woodworker and his mind was always figuring something out.  He just never rested.  

Rob will certainly be remembered for his love of family, his faith and his integrity.  He was an amazing family man - a supportive husband, an encouraging Dad and a doting Grandpa/Papa.  He was so proud of his clan and bragged to anyone who would listen. The sun surely rose and set on the kids.  He was faithful and made sure he gave his family strong roots in their own faith and gave them the tools they needed.  He was fundamentally honest and always reminded you to “do the right thing”.  Although we are saddened by his passing, in this season of Thanksgiving, we can’t help but be grateful for Robert and a man of his character in our lives.  

He leaves joyful memories to his wife Joanne of 46 years; his children Sharon Spina and husband Dave, Craig Leavy and wife Jennifer, Scott Leavy and wife Teri, Matthew Leavy and wife Dana, Robyn O'Sullivan and husband Nick; his grandchildren Hannah Leavy, Natalie Spina, Patrick, Mackenzie and Cooper Leavy, Oliver O’Sullivan and Jeanine Leavy and baby O’Sullivan “on the way”; his brother Jerry Leavy and wife Cathy, and many more dear relatives and friends.  His grandchild, “baby Leavy,” and his two brothers, Kevin and Rick, who passed previously, along with his mother, Rosanna, are waiting to see him in Heaven.

Rob was an inspiration to all and will be deeply missed.