By Terrence Casey

When the bagpipes sound and the green line marches down West Springfield Road this March, Thomas J. O’Leary, Jr. will be at the front of the procession. A longtime resident and business owner, O’Leary was named the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Springfield Township St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

When first asked to lead the line, O’Leary said his reaction was one of genuine “shock.” His journey in Springfield has lasted nearly his entire life, beginning when his family moved to Delaware County when he was two years old. Today, he remains a fixture of the community, both as a retired veteran and a father whose children now help run the family business.

A Study in Contrast

To understand O’Leary is to understand the building he calls home. The O’Leary Funeral Home on Springfield Road is a study in purposeful contrast. The downstairs, open to the public, is lit with low, warm tones and classic decor. The carpets are meticulously maintained—a fitting environment for a man who said he prides himself on the smallest details in life and after death.

However, follow the stairs to the top floor and the atmosphere shifts. This is where O’Leary lives, in a space his daughter Peggy described as the childhood home for all six O’Leary siblings. Unlike the somber quiet of the showrooms below, the living quarters are bright, modern, and filled with old family photos. During a recent visit, O’Leary sat in this bright space, adjusting the buttons on his sport coat with the same precision he has applied to his work for over four decades.

A 24/7 Commitment

While the community knows O’Leary for his steady presence at the funeral home, his daughter, Katie O’Leary, recalled that this level of service required significant family sacrifice. According to Katie, her parents were a young couple determined to grow their business while remaining active in church and community volunteering. However, she noted that those activities often took a back seat when a call came in that a neighbor had passed away.

“His 24/7 devotion to the community and business was the ‘normal’ in our household,” Katie O’Leary said. She recalled many middle-of-the-night calls where her father would leave to assist a family in their home. She even remembered Christmas mornings where the six children waited to go to the attic to open presents because their father was out working. “There is no real schedule in his line of work,” she said, noting that both her mother and father understood and honored this commitment throughout their entire life together.

Roots in Service and Education

O’Leary attended Holy Cross, Monsignor Bonner, and Saint Joseph’s University. He remains a supporter of the local parochial school system. “Carol and I went to Catholic school, and my parents were devoted to volunteering for the church,” O’Leary said. “We wanted the same for our children.” He noted that his late wife, Carol, also appreciated that the children wore uniforms.

Before establishing his business in the township, O’Leary served as a Navy corpsman during the Vietnam War. He said that caring for the suffering in a high-pressure environment taught him the meaning of compassion. “I learned it’s more important to listen to people in their time of need,” O’Leary said. “When you are trying to help suffering people, it humbles you and makes you learn patience.”

A Professional Calling

O’Leary’s path to Springfield was paved by years of dedication to his craft. He recalled the days of attending embalming school in New York, making the daily commute to hone a skill set that requires technical ability and emotional intelligence. For 31 years, he assisted at a funeral home in Ardmore, eventually taking a step back as the owners’ sons grew into the business.

In 1976, he opened O’Leary Funeral Home, Ltd. in Springfield. His philosophy on the work is intimate and personal. When discussing the preparation of the deceased, O’Leary noted a preference for minimalism to maintain authenticity. “I don’t like to use makeup,” O’Leary said. “But if I do, I like to use theirs.” This focus on the individual has allowed him to develop deep ties within the community. “When we built O’Leary Funeral Home, we were honored to help people in their time of need,” he said. “It developed relationships and lasting friendships.”

Community Involvement

O’Leary’s history of volunteerism includes serving as Treasurer for the Primos/Secane Fire Company, the Knights of Columbus, and the Kiwanis Club. He recalled one specific instance during his time with the fire company that stood out.

“When Laura Bush visited our firehouse, I got a beep for work,” O’Leary said. Despite having been heavily involved in fundraising for the construction of the new garage, the Secret Service would not allow him back into the building once he had left to attend to his professional duties.

Behind his community efforts was a 50-year partnership with his wife, Carol. They raised six children while volunteering for various local organizations. “We enjoyed volunteering together,” O’Leary said. Today, that family legacy continues as his son, Tommy O’Leary III, and his daughters run the company, keeping the business moving with the same meticulous care their father established.

Leading the Parade

While O’Leary said he has spent most of his Saturdays over the last few decades working, he always met up with friends and family after the parade concluded. This year, he will lead the route. When he marches down Saxer Avenue on March 14, O’Leary said he will be thinking about the honor of being chosen and the fact that it is his daughter Colleen’s birthday.

The parade kicks off at noon on March 14, moving from West Springfield Road to the reviewing stand at Old Central School. When asked what advice he would give to young people looking to get involved in the township, O’Leary encouraged them to look to their immediate surroundings. “Get to know your neighbors and see what’s needed,” he said. “Do what you enjoy.”