Monsignor Patrick R. Leary, CEO of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada who died late last week, was equally remembered Sunday for his personality as much as his philanthropic endeavors.
"He just had that twinkle in his eye," said Cass Palmer, president and CEO of United Way. "He was someone special. His love of people was untouched."
Like Palmer, those who worked with Leary, 63, said his commitment to improving lives of the less fortunate was unparalleled and made him a perfect fit for his role at Catholic Charities.
He led the nonprofit since 2003. A released statement announcing Leary's death called the organization the largest social service agency providing direct assistance to people in Clark County.
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada opened in 1941.
It offers about two dozen programs that provide services to people of all ages and religions, including a food service program that serves more than 3,000 meals a day.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said Leary's death is not only a huge blow to the community, but also affects her deeply.
"I choose who I love carefully," Goodman said. "I loved this man. He was one of a kind."
Goodman said Leary was deeply involved not only in Catholic Charities but also in other causes. He would often sit on social service boards or volunteer to help with issues such as rape crisis, homelessness and the plight of veterans.
"He was the first to say, 'I'll be there. I'll be there,' " Goodman said.
Palmer recalled that only a few weeks ago he and Leary were working at a food and clothing drive in a supermarket parking lot in the southwest valley.
Palmer said as a way to bring support to the drive, the two participated in a shopping cart race, and Leary had no qualms offering the manpower.
"He had that joy in him," Palmer said. "He was the one who said, 'Cass, hop in. I'll push.' "
Palmer, who stands 6 feet and weighs about 225 pounds, laughed Sunday while recalling the story. He said he should have been pushing Leary in the cart, not the other way around.
Donald Campbell, a former lawyer for Leary, said in an email that when Leary took over Catholic Charities in 2003 the organization was in the red.
Campbell said Leary changed the operational model, streamlined services and got Catholic Charities in good standing financially.
Campbell described Leary as a "brilliant" man who spoke Chinese fluently. He served as a priest for the Paulist Fathers in Hong Kong after being ordained in the late 1970s.
Campbell said he was "heartbroken" over Leary's passing.
Patricia Trent Morrissey, who is president of the Catholic Charities board of trustees , said Leary was charismatic.
He could get the most out of the workers and volunteers at the organization. His drive was infectious, she said.
"He was such a dynamic, articulate, warm individual," Morrissey said. "I can't tell you how smart he was, and how good he was at getting the very best out of anyone who came in his orbit."
Review-Journal publisher Bob Brown serves as secretary on the Catholic Charities board.
Las Vegas. NV—Bishop Joseph A. Pepe, head of the Diocese of Las Vegas, said today he was deeply saddened to announce that Monsignor Patrick R. Leary has passed on to the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“For 13 years he was the rock that led Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada - feeding the hungry and clothing the poor, never looking away from a face in need; setting an example for the community and the world,” Bishop Pepe said.
Monsignor Leary was born March 21, 1949 in Buffalo, New York. He was ordained as a priest on May 15, 1976 as a priest of the Paulist Fathers where he served in numerous roles including overseas in Hong Kong before joining the Diocese of Reno Las Vegas in 1989. His first assignment being Chaplain of the University of Las Vegas Campus Ministry and Chaplain to the Carmelite Sisters. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Reno Las Vegas in 1994 and assigned as Rector of the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer where he served until 2001.
In 1995, Bishop Daniel Walsh, Bishop Pepe’s predecessor, appointed Monsignor Leary as his Vicar General for the Diocese. Monsignor Leary held that position which acts as the Bishop’s assistant responsible for the direction of the central administration of the diocese until Bishop Walsh left to take a post in Santa Rosa, California in 2000. at which time Monsignor Leary was appointed Diocesan Administrator by the Consultors of the Diocese during the Sede Vacante.
Monsignor Leary was conferred with the title of Prelate of Honor to His holiness, Pope John Paul II in 1998. He was also a member of Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
In 2003 Monsignor Leary moved to take over operations at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, an organization dedicated to serving the community since its inception in 1941.
“By all accounts, Catholic Charities thrived and grew under Monsignor’s guidance and he was especially skilled and valuable to the 24 programs and thousands of people in Clark County that are impacted by the services of Catholic Charities every day during these tough economic times. Monsignor worked tirelessly to ensure that they were able to continue all of their programs and even expand their impact given the larger number of people in need. We were extremely proud and grateful for his leadership,” Bishop Pepe said.
Catholic Charities is about people helping people and respecting that everyone has a unique gift that was given to them by our creator, and Monsignor sought in his work and ministry at Catholic Charities to recognize those gifts and to treat every one of the organization’s clients with dignity and respect,” ____ said.
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada was established in 1941 during World War II to provide social services to the people of Las Vegas and its surrounding communities regardless of religious belief. It grew with southern Nevada and is now the largest social service agency that provides direct assistance to people in Clark County, Nevada. With 24 programs that range from a food service program that serves over 3000 meals a day to adoption services, from senior services to job placement assistance.
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From Classmates:
At our 45th Reunion (June '12)