Mr. John W. Leahey

John W. Leahey, 89, passed early Friday Morning, October 28, at home in Merrimack, NH. He is survived by his daughters Linda Polewarczyk and her husband Brian of Derry, NH, and Lorrie Rudis and her husband Michael of Merrimack, NH; and son John E. Leahey and his wife Ratchanee of Concord, NH; seven grandchildren Shannon Herrmann, Michael Royce, LJ Berube, Kyle Berube, Justin Berube , Emalie Rudis and Kevin Collins; five great-grandchildren Norah Herrmann, Mason Berube, Addison Sheppard, Jayden Rutstein, Benjamin Berube; and close family friends Rick and Pat Collins of Plymouth, MA, and many loving nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife, Mary H.(Elliott) Leahey, sisters, Mary Mitchell, Margaret Kelley, Nora Blackstock and Eileen Buckle, and his brother Daniel Leahey. John was born in Lowell, MA on July 26, 1933 to Dennis and Helen (Sullivan) Leahey, formerly of Ireland. He served in the Unites States Air Force from 1952-1956. After the service, he attended Lowell Technological Institute. John graduated in 1960, as part of the university’s first class of Physics Majors, a major he doubled with Mathematics. John was a noted scientist throughout his career at The MITRE Corporation, where he made significant contributions in the field of physics. His career highlights include working with the seven original astronauts of the Mercury & Gemini missions and helping provide scientific data for the START I Treaty, among countless other projects that benefited the country. While John was an accomplished physicist, he was never one to speak much about his career. He was much more inclined to boast about his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s many accomplishments. As the patriarch of a loving, loud, and very Irish family, John encouraged education, tradition and enjoyed celebrating every milestone, both large and small. His favorite days were graduations, and he proudly watched all three of his children receive their master’s education. John, and his wife Mary, had been married for 60 years. As lifelong residents of Lowell, they were parishioners of Sacred Heart Church, active in the community and enjoyed entertaining at their home. John valued a spirited debate and was a lifelong learner. He tutored his children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren through countless hours of math homework at his kitchen table and was the first person anyone wanted to show an A+ on the top of a test. After the passing of his wife, John relocated to Merrimack, NH where he lived with his daughter, Lorrie, and her family. John will be forever missed, but remembered fondly, every time there is a cribbage game to play on the deck, a Patriots game to watch on a Sunday, an Irish song to toast, or a new family milestone is reached. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET. LOWELL on TUESDAY from 5 until 7 PM. John's FUNERAL will begin on WEDNESDAY MORNING at 9 o'clock from the Funeral Home, followed by his FUNERAL MASS at 10 o'clock at THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 144 East Merrimack St. LOWELL. Burial will follow in ST. MARY'S CEMETERY, N. TEWKSBURY. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS 978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com

Mr. John W. Leahey

July 26, 1933 - October 28, 2022