James Edward O'Leary Obituary (1938 - 2018)

Our beloved brother, uncle, and friend, James Edward O'Leary, age 79, of Erie, peacefully passed from this life into the arms of the angels on Friday, February 23, 2018 at the Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Jim is survived by two sisters, Karen Brinklow of East Springfield and Eileen Whitfield of Los Angeles, CA and one brother, Paul O'Leary (Lynnea) of Conneaut, Ohio. In addition, he is survived by his large extended family, the Cirino Family of Buffalo, NY; a sister-in-law, Shirley O'Leary of Erie; a brother-in-law, Richard O'Lone of Florida; and his long-time and very dear friends, Carl Larese and Jim Cornell of Erie. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard F. and Walburga M. (Ernst) O'Leary; four siblings, Bernard "Bud" O' Leary, Patricia O'Leary Lijewski, Richard O'Leary and Ann O'Lone; his partner of 35 years, a man with whom he shared his life and business, Joseph Cirino, and his dear friend, Martha "FaFa" Schaaf. Jim was born in Erie on June 17, 1938. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1955 to 1959 when he was honorably discharged. Jim received his nursing degree from Saint Vincent School of Nursing in 1974 and dedicated 30 years to the care of others at Saint Vincent Hospital before retiring as Nurse Manager of the Dialysis Unit. Upon his retirement, he joined his partner Joe at J & J Travel, which they operated for nearly 30 years. Jim and Joe traveled the world extensively with their friends during those years. Although Jim lived in various locations across the United States, he made Erie his home. He and Joey threw epic parties for family and friends, ardently supported the Erie Playhouse and the Erie Philharmonic and amassed a great many friends who became family. Jim was known for his kind and loving ways, the Irish twinkle in his eye and the joy he received from being with and helping others. Family and friends may call at the Dusckas-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 5151 Buffalo Rd. (at Hannon Rd. in Harborcreek Twp.), on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service to be conducted there at 5 p.m. by the Rev. Dr. Don Baxter. Jim will be privately laid to rest. Memorial contributions may be made to the Erie Playhouse, 13 W.10th St., Erie, PA 16501. Jim's family would like to extend a special thank you to the Erie VA Medical Center's 5th floor staff that cared for Jim with extraordinary attention, care and compassion. In addition, heartfelt thanks to the multitude of friends who visited, sang to and cared for Jim throughout his illness.