Enjoyed golf and a good cigar
MELROSE — Timothy (Tabba) O’Leary of Melrose passed peacefully on April 29. Tim was 75 years old; the 1st child of Daniel (Tab) and Frances O’Leary of Melrose.
Timmy is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Karen (Sluhocki) O’Leary; son Terence; daughter Caitlin; and daughter in law Katie (Surrette) O’Leary. Tim was the proud grandfather of Cameron Gregorio, Matthew Gregorio, Owen Gregorio of Melrose and Lily O’Leary,Timmy O’Leary and Layla O’Leary of Wilmington. Timmy is also survived by siblings: Kathy Michaud (Norman); Patricia Thorpe (Kevin); Maureen Bidgood (John); Dan O’Leary; and Eileen O’Leary all of Melrose and Shawna Iacovella (Angelo) of Wakefield.
Tabba was a proud lifelong resident of Melrose. Following high school he worked for several years as a security officer at Melrose Wakefield Hospital followed by a 22 year career with the Melrose Police Department serving as patrol officer and detective. In the 90’s he became the first School Resources Officer (SRO) in Melrose police history. He was especially proud of his commitment to the youth while serving as SRO.
Tim was a product of the local Catholic school system, attending both St Mary’s in Melrose and Malden Catholic, MC. Tim excelled in baseball and basketball while at MC leading to a lifelong passion of all things sports. He cherished trips to Cooperstown (MLB HOF) with “T” attending any and all minor league sporting events, coaching youth sports in Melrose, playing softball on the MPD team of the decade at Pine Banks and basketball games at Gooch playground. Amongst friends he was known for a cyclopedic knowledge of sports trivia. In retirement, he loved spending time with his grandchildren, who adored him, a good cigar and a round of golf on a beautiful day.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Tabba wished any donations be made to Nashoba Learning Group, a school that enables children and adults with Autism to function with the greatest possible productivity and independence in the community, home and workplace throughout their lives. Visit gatelyfh.com.
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
