Charles J. OLeary of Fairfield died Wednesday, June 8, at the Jewish Home for the Elderly. He was 86 years old. OLeary was a dedicated public servant in Fairfield most of his life, having served on a number of town boards and commissions.
OLeary was born in Bridgeport on March 6, 1925. After earning his bachelors degree from Niagra University and a masters from the University of Bridgeport, he worked at Sikorsky Aircraft. He retired as director of financial operations.
Over the course of his political career, OLeary held positions on the Representative Town Meeting, the Board of Finance and the Board of Education, serving as chair of the latter. OLeary was an avid golfer and formerly served as chair of the Golf Commission, in which role he helped guide the planning and financing of the H. Smith Richardson public golf course. He was also an active member of the Patterson Club.
OLeary is survived by two daughters, Sheila Heineken and her husband, Dr. Christian Heineken, of Shelton, and Patricia Maguire and her husband, Thomas, of Milford; five grandchildren, and two brothers, Msgr. Cornelius O'Leary, a retired colonel in the Air Force, and John O'Leary of Stratford.
Msgr. OLeary was co-celebrant of his brothers funeral Mass Monday morning at St. Pius X Church. Burial was in Oak Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. O'Leary may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
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