Glenn Edward Leahey

Glenn Edward Leahey died peacefully at home on 2/13/21 of natural causes. Beloved son, brother, uncle, and cousin, he was born 5/17/63 to Edward Leahey and Frieda (nee Boehmisch) Hyland, the youngest of 3 children.  Glenn was predeceased by father Eddie, stepfather Joe Hyland, cousin Annie Baumgartner, and nephew Sylvan Walton. He leaves behind sisters Linda Bowe & Karen Leahey-Betten; brothers-in-law Michael Bowe and Brian Betten; nieces Emma Bowe and Morgan Cohen (husband Gabe), and nephew Kyle Walton.

Glenn attended Visitation Grammar School and graduated high school from the Allegro School in Claverack, N.Y. He went on to achieve a B.S. in Psychology and Political Philosophy from Fordham University with subsequent graduate work in special education at Hunter College NYC. He worked for AHRC New York for many years, first with handicapped adults, then later with pre-schoolers. He enjoyed many summers working at Camp Catskill for the developmentally disabled in upstate NY, an experience he cherished. In his later years, Glenn worked as a senior sales manager for Librarians Book Express, part of Rosen Publishing, selling curriculum support books and befriending school librarians across the country.  

Glenn was a true Bronxite; playing darts in the local pubs, rescuing street cats, participating in Bronx cultural events, such as concerts at Wave Hill, Gaelic Park, and Van Cortlandt Park. He was devoted to his Kingsbridge neighborhood and Visitation schoolmates (class of ‘77) and was always planning get-togethers.  He was a classical music aficionado, and a regular member and attendee at Carnegie Hall, befriending the ushers and often buying tickets for friends and family so they could also attend. He may have been Stevie Nicks’ greatest fan, meeting her backstage several times and following her and her bands around New England with his friends.

Glenn was a student of the world; he had a keen and inquisitive intellect and could speak extensively on history, geography, science, politics, and musicology.  He had an amazing memory for people and details of their lives, and his winding stories were entertaining and educational as he reminisced on an obscure event or friends he had made.  Glenn was a culinary and wine expert, and he enjoyed making delicious home-made sauces, breads and dinners for neighbors and family.

His nieces and nephews had a standing laugh about Uncle Glenn’s famously long-winded phone calls, but they always learned something new from them! He often ended these calls saying “don’t be a stranger” which is ironic because in Glenn’s world there were no strangers, only people he had not yet befriended. He put forth tremendous efforts to connect with and support others; there were no relatives, friends, or acquaintances too distant who didn’t feel the positive impact that Glenn had on them. Our loss is profound and will be deeply felt forever. He ended every phone call with “Bye for now!); which we now say to him.

In lieu of flowers, donations to: Bronx Tails Cat Rescue (bronxtails.org/donate/),

Camp Anne for people with disabilities: www.ahrcnycfoundation.org

(you can donate in honor of Glenn Leahey)

Carnegie Hall (carnegiehall.org/Support/Donate/),

An on-line service will take place on Friday, February 26th, at four; please e-mail his sister Linda at lbowe23@gmail.com for the Zoom link.

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