Ted Michael Leahy, 77, passed away peacefully, Nov. 9, 2017, at home in Huntersville, N.C. He was born Sept. 27, 1940 to Frank (F.J.) and Grace (Mullen) Leahy in Shullsburg. Ted earned a BA in Accounting from Loras College in 1964 and served in the US Army National Guard, with 18 months of active duty. Ted married Beverly Foht in January 1965. As a young boy, Ted began working in his father’s grocery store; working many long hours at the store developed Ted’s strong work ethic. After college, Ted had a career in the life insurance industry in the Midwest; he earned the CLU and FLMI industry certifications. He began as an agent, and then became Director of the agent division of the Iowa Insurance Commission. While earning his JD from Hamline University School of Law in 1976, he served as Vice President of Government Relations, Compliance, Product Development and later as Vice President of Marketing. Rounding out his insurance career, he was again a commissioned general agent. He was a founding director and board member of USAONE National Credit Union. Moving South for retirement, Ted spent time building a gazebo and deck in the yard before starting his last career in legal document review in Charlotte, N.C., finally retiring in September 2017.
Ted was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan. He enjoyed many adventures, notably his trips to the 1953 National Scout Jamboree in California with friend John Judd, to the Philmont Scout Ranch in 1955 with friend Butch Stoycheff, and as a 1957 Badger Boys State candidate. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Beverly, to many exotic resorts, but his most memorable vacations were the ones spent with his family at a cabin in Detroit Lakes, Minn., swimming, fishing and relaxing with the Flanagan family. Ted volunteered many hours to support his grandsons’ Scouting activities. In keeping with his pride of his Irish heritage, Ted was very active in the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Ted earned volunteer of the year awards from both the Cub Scouts and the Hibernians for his efforts.
Ted is survived by Beverly, his loving wife of 52 years, children: Patricia (Gregory) Spooner, Molly Oberlatz, Michael, and John (Rose), grandchildren: Jordan Rogan, Ted and Sean Spooner, two brothers: Thomas (Diana), Terrance (Theresa), four sisters: Mary Joan (Douglas) Riechers, Kathryn (Mark) Alexander, Jill (Kenneth) Staver and Susan (Andrew) Doyle, and three sisters-in-law: Sandra Leahy, Carole (Lawrence) Priem and Linda Rowlen, and brother-in-law Alan (Evelia) Foht many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Ted was preceded in death by infant daughter: Deborah Ann, his parents: F.J. and Grace, brother: Timothy, sisters-in-law: Sharon Leahy and Lydia Foht, and brother-in-law: James Rowlen.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church, 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, N.C.
Visitation/Celebration of Life will follow the Mass, Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at James Funeral Home, 10520 Arahova Drive, Huntersville, N.C.
Interment will be Monday, Nov. 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Salisbury National Cemetery, 501 Statesville Boulevard, Salisbury, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to AOH Meck #2, memo: Education Fund, (AOH, c/o St. Mark Catholic Church, 14740 Stumptown Rd, Huntersville, N.C. 28078) or to the Emily Franz Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc. (PO Box 487, Shullsburg, Wis., 53586).