Don Leahy

1926 - 2023

Donald Francis Leahy, born on September 29, 1926 in Drumheller, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023 in Taber at the age of 96 years.

Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. 

The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.

He was predeceased by his daughter Patcee Leahy Jensen; sons-in-law Michael Armstrong and Rob Laurie and three siblings.

Don is survived by his wife Marie; daughters Shelagh Armstrong and her children Lynley, Natalie, Katherine and Caroline; Patcee’s children Andrea and Jennifer; Colleen Kinniburgh and her children Zelda Gayle, Adam, Daniel, Christy, Susan and Jesse; Catherine Leahy and her children Tanya and Lisa; Bonnie (Rick) Gunderson and their children Kieran and Maren; Connie (Blaine) Gross and their child Mackenzie; Erin Leahy; son Kevin (Val) Leahy and their child Tegan.

Don was born to Theresa Marie (nee Jankowski) and Dennis William Leahy. He was the youngest of four children, brother George Leahy and sisters Margaret Chisholm and Helen Eagan. Don married Marie Katterhagen on May 6, 1950, and together they had eight children, eighteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Shortly after Don was born, the Leahy family moved to Wetaskiwin, where his maternal grandfather had lived since before Alberta became a province. His father soon moved to Ontario to work in the gold mines, as work was scarce in Alberta. His mother moved the young family to Calgary in 1934, where Don received his schooling. He followed two of his siblings into war-time services and joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1944. Private Leahy trained at Camp Borden in Ontario. After the war, he worked on the Grimshaw- Yellowknife Highway, on his uncle John Leahy’s farm at Grassy Lake, and farmed potatoes before moving to Rockyford in 1949 to work as a grain buyer for Searle Grain. In his words, Rockyford was the best thing that happened, as it was here that Don met Marie. Don was transferred to Scapa, Alberta, shortly after marriage, where he and Marie started their family. In the spring of 1951, they moved to the farm south of Fincastle.

Don lived a life of service to the community, church, and family. He served on the Taber Seed Cleaning Board, The Chin Coulee Gas Co-Op and as a Municipal Councilor for the Municipal District of Taber. Don was very active in the Catholic church, serving on Parish Council, participating in the services as a frequent reader, volunteering at many events. He was also a long time Fourth Degree member of the Knights Of Columbus, where he served in many offices. Don was very active in supporting the many interests of his children, stepping in as hockey team manager and driver, and fundraising for many of his children’s and grandchildren’s many varied pursuits. He retired from farming and moved to Taber in 1992, but continued to be an active community volunteer in many ways. Don tutored English as a second language, read to the infirm, supported the elderly and disabled, and, using his own experience, mentoring others who experienced tragedy.

He was the patriarch of our family. Don had many nieces, nephews and friends, many of whom saw him as a second father. He was a gifted orator often called upon to lead prayers, emcee events, weddings and funerals, and give his beloved Irish blessing. When faced with adversity and tragedy, Don dug deep into his faith and support of Marie, his lifelong partner. Their ongoing dedication and support for Patcee after she was left blind by a violent crime is only one example of this faith. He had a lifelong passion for health and fitness, walking and riding his bike. Don loved learning and was a scholar without a formal post-secondary education, who could beat us all at trivial pursuits even up to his final hours. We knew Dad as a frugal curmudgeon who tried hard to be a grump but was a marshmallow on the inside, an entertainer who took great pride in singing offkey, and most importantly, a father who loved his children dearly and adored his wife. We will miss him forever.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Don’s name may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N2 www.albertacancer.ca, the Taber Food Bank, 5512 - 48 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1S4 or to the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs, 152 Wilson Street, Oakville, Ontario L6K 0G6 www.dogguides.com.