Michael John Leahy, 48, died July 27, 2016 at Weiss Memorial Hospital. His friends will celebrate his life with a memorial Thursday, Aug. 18, 6:30 p.m. at Unity Church, 1925 W. Thome Ave.
Leahy worked in manufacturer sales representing several plumbing faucet companies across the globe.
He was involved in the Chicago AIDS Ride, TPAN and Chicago House.
Local business leaders have banded together to have a post-memorial gathering at SoFo, where the owners, Mark Robertson and Mike Sullivan, will donate $1 from each drink (cash bar) to Chicago House, Leahy's intended charity. The organizers of the memorial are Neil Smith and Ken Bertrand.
The businesses providing food for the event are:
Lady Gregory's: Martin Cournane
Replay/Elixir: Mark Liberson and Sean Kotwa
Cantina 1910: Mark and Mike
Hamburger Mary's: Brandon and Ashley Wright
Pastoral/Appellation: Greg O'Neill and Ken Miller
Leahy was born on April 12, 1968, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Edward J. and Joan ( Kramer ) Leahy.
Send donations in his name to Chicago House lieu of flowers. The link is www.chicagohouse.org/get-involved/ .
A Funeral Mass was held August 4, 2016 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church of Sac City, Iowa. His father officiated.
His online obituary stated: "As a small child Mike saw an advertisement where he could earn a fishing tackle box by selling 12 packages of assorted green seeds. Although his parents thought there were going to be at least 12 years of gardening in their future, Mike relentlessly plied the neighborhood with his red wagon, charmed the neighbors and came back an hour later with half of them sold. The next evening he went out again and returned home saying 'Dad, I got them all sold, now help me fill out the coupon to get my tackle box!'"
Leahy grew up in western Iowa. In his younger years he enjoyed going to his grandparent's farm near Danbury, Iowa and taking part in all the farming activities. He attended Spalding Catholic High School in Granville, Iowa and graduated from Tipton High School in 1987. He followed his sales instincts after high school working in sales jobs to earn money for college. He attended Kirkwood Community College and became a graduate from the University of Northern Iowa in May 1991, with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Sales.
His professional talent later blossomed as he worked with many industry leading kitchen and bathroom hardware companies as a product manager and national sales accounts manager. In working these positions his travels took him to Japan, China, and most recently to Vietnam. He will be remembered for his warm ready smile and kind heart.
He is survived by his parents and brother Steve ( Sheryl ) Leahy of Madison, Alabama and their sons Ryan, Kevin and daughters McKenna and Tara; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.
Michael was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Martin and Mary Ellen Leahy; maternal grandparents, Arnold and Eileen Kramer; aunts, Ann Kramer, Mary Leahy and Sally Leahy; and uncle, Frank Leahy.
Condolences may be sent online to www.armstrongfuneral.com .