WALTON _ Terence Patrick O'Leary, 62, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Terence was born in New York City on Sept. 26, 1947, to George and Margaret (Rice) O'Leary. Terry moved as a child with his family to Central Islip, Long Island where he spent his formative years. He was an avid and talented athlete and upon graduation from Central Islip High School was named MVP in baseball, basketball, and football.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Vermont, where he attended on an all-sports scholarship and played basketball and baseball.

After graduation from UVM, Terry attended St. John's University School of Law in Brooklyn and then Jamaica and earned his Juris Doctor in May 1973. While attending law school, he married the former Teresa Loughran on Jan. 23, 1971.

Upon graduation from law school the O'Learys moved to Delaware County, initially to Hamden for two years and then to their present home in Walton.

Even after moving to Delaware County, Terry continued his interested in sports by playing on the local baseball team, playing basketball with the "over 30" crowd and could often be found in a pick-up game of basketball with the students at SUNY Delhi. In addition to playing, Terry coached in the community youth basketball program and the summer basketball league,

Terry will always be remembered as a gentleman and a friend to all who knew him. He treated everyone he met with respect as he had the ability to see the face of God in each person he encountered. He will also be remembered for his quick smile, cheerful demeanor and ever-present sense of humor.

Terry was a devoted and contributing member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Walton. He served God and his church as a legal adviser to the parish and past pastors, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, lector, usher, religious education teacher and parish trustee. He was also a founding member of the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Valley Council.

When he first arrived in Delaware County, Terry was employed by Lawrence Pierce of Delhi and soon thereafter became a member of the law firm of Paternoster, Estes and O'Leary in Walton. He later continued his career as a solo practitioner for the last 25 years. Terry was a member of the New State Bar Association, Broome County Bar Association and Walton Chamber of Commerce.

Terry is survived by his devoted wife of 39 years; four loving children, two loving children-in-law and four terrific grandsons who have brought him great joy; daughter and son-in-law, Kerry and Matthew Tarleton of Merrimack, N.H., daughter, Molly O'Leary of Washington, D.C.; son and daughter-in-law, Terence Joseph and Argi O'Leary of Hoboken, N.J., and son, Owen Patrick O'Leary of Albany. His grandsons are John Terence Tarleton, George Terence, Joseph Cormac and Finnian James O'Leary. He is also survived by three brothers, Peter (Carol) of Moriches, George (Sharon) or Orlando, Fla., Thomas (Gayle) of East New York, N.J. and four sisters, Margaret (Leonard) of Pawling, Mary (Paul) Flaherty of Rockaway, James (Thomas) Quinn of Rockaway and Kathleen O'Leary of Belleville, N.J.; godchildren, Brian O'Leary, Kate Winternitz and Kate Flaherty; many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Additionally, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Alice Loughran of Floral Park; brother-in-law, Thomas Loughran and dear friend and brother and sister-in-law, Joseph (Theresa) Loughran of East Rockaway, and their three daughters as well as the remaining two of the "Legal Three Amigos," his golf buddies and countless friends.

Mr. O'Leary was predeceased by his parents and father-in-law, Joseph Loughran.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on Sunday, December 13, 2009 from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 PM at the Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Townsend St., Walton. with recitation of the Most Holy Rosary at 8 p.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church at 11 a.m. on Monday with the Rev. Michael Flannery, Celebrant. Burial will follow in Walton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Terry's memory may be made to The Church of Saint John the Baptist, 17-21 Benton Ave., Walton, NY 13856.