From George Chapman, on the APALetPress Yahoo Group today:
Most have probably already heard that Pat passed away earlier this week. For several years Pat has traveled to Jim Daggs’ shop and set type for the APA directory. Here is a link to a full obit.
And, here is the content of that obituary for those interested:
John ‘Pat’ Leary, 81, of Volga, SD passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at Brookings Health System. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2017 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Rude’s Funeral Home. A Liturgical Wake Service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Funeral arrangements are with Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings, SD. There is an online registry at www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
John Patrick Leary was born on April 26, 1935 in Rhame, ND, the son of Harold and Marion (Buckley) Leary.
Pat received his early education in Marmath, ND and graduated from Mobridge High School in 1953. While in high school he worked at the Mobridge Tribune where he found his niche setting type on a Linotype. This led to a love of typography which lasted throughout his lifetime. He continued his education at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD graduating with a degree in printing and journalism in 1958. While earning his degree, he set type on the Linotype for the Brookings Register.
Pat was united in marriage to Eunice J. Kracke on June 19, 1958 in Brookings, SD. Pat served with the Army National Guard from 1958 to 1964. From 1959 to 1963, Pat managed the Volga Tribune in Volga, SD. He was then employed at Harold’s Printing Company in Brookings until 1966 when he went to work at SDSU in the editorial office. In 1968, he purchased Harold’s Printing Company and continued to own and operate the business until his retirement in 2010. Following retirement he worked part-time at the South Dakota Newspaper Association and spent much of his time volunteering in the kitchen at the church. He also enjoyed sending personal notes and newspaper clippings to family and friends.
For several years he served as a counselor at Boys’ State Journalism City where he enjoyed sharing his expertise in printing and journalism. Having loved railroads since childhood, he enjoyed train ride adventures with his grandchildren. He also cherished his time with family at “the shop”. As a business owner for over 40 years, he appreciated the relationships he developed with his customers.
Pat was a member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, BPO Elks #1490, Friends of the “261”, Chicago Northwestern Historical Society, Milwaukee Road Historical Association, Northern Pacific Historical Society, the Amalgamated Printer Association and the American Typecasting Fellowship.
Pat is survived by his wife, Eunice; a son, Stephen (Sheila) Leary of Brookings, SD; three daughters, Cecelia (Michael) VanEde of Mundelein, IL, Catherine (Dale) Libolt of Fort Rock, OR and Mary (Bret) Larson of Volga, SD; seven grandchildren, Jason Johnson, Shantel Leary, Sean Leary, Bradley Libolt, Jake Larson, Daniel Libolt and Kate Larson; one great-grand daughter, Thalia Leary Basurto; a sister, Mary Hollenbeck of Edgemont, SD; two sisters-in-law, Deloris Lester and Joy Kracke of Dallas, OR; one brother-in-law, Jerry Moxon of Livermore, CA; several nieces and nephews; along with a host of other relatives.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers-in-law, Marvin Kracke, Larry Lester and HC (Bud) Hollenbeck; and one sister-in-law, Janice Moxon