Timothy Joseph Leahy, 64, a man known for his optimism, humor, kindness and generosity, passed away Dec. 30, 2024.
Tim lived a life filled with tremendous love and faith in God. Born in 1960 to Thomas and Patricia Leahy, Tim had a zest for life. He loved his bride of 40 years, Rory. He loved his family and his (wide, wide circle of) friends. He loved God and his faithful Notre Dame community. He loved his alma mater, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and rooting on the White Sox. He loved to run and play hoops. He loved his work in advertising, marketing and sales, proudly earning his MBA from Kellogg School of Management. He loved supporting causes close to his heart: American Cancer Society, Misericordia and Ronald McDonald House Charities. He loved wedding dance floors, trivia, Rolling Rock and a hot mic.
Tim dedicated his whole life to fighting cancer, founding Hoops For Life in Hinsdale in 1988. Hoops For Life raised more than $4 million dollars for American Cancer Society. Earlier this year, Tim became a cancer warrior himself, fiercely fighting until his final days. He was a beacon of faith, kindness and bravery that will forever reside in the hearts of those who knew him. His family finds solace in knowing that his spirit lives on through the love he instilled in them.
He is survived by his wife, Rory Leahy, nee Losos; his children, Erin (Aaron) Vick, Colleen (Justin) Pellino, Patrick Joseph Leahy and Molly Leahy; his grandchildren, Joan and Maisie Vick; and his siblings, Kathy (Darryl) Owens, Tom (Mary) Leahy and Mary (Tom) Fey.
He was preceded in death by his son, Joey Leahy; his grandson, Leo Pellino; and his parents, Thomas and Patricia Leahy.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 64 Norfolk Ave. Clarendon Hills, IL.
A funeral Mass is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at Notre Dame Church.
Interment is private at Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made online to the American Cancer Society at http://www.donate.cancer.org, Misericordia Heart of Mercy at http://www.misericordia.com or Ronald McDonald House Charities at http://www.rmhc.org.
Sullivan Funeral Home in Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
