Robert T Leahy Jr.

Robert T Leahy Jr.

America’s pastime: he played it, watched it, listened to it, collected it and spent hours pondering its intricacies. But, Bobby was born to coach it. He played 2nd base in High School (Roman Catholic) and in College (Eastern University). His coaching career began at Eastern following graduation and continued in Drexel Hill where he coached his son Ryan in Little League. When the family moved to New Jersey his focus turned to coaching the South Jersey Warriors, where is second son Matt acquired quite the thirst for the game. Year after year he’d take a rag tag group of kids and transform them into a winning machine. Bobby put the “travel” in “travel team” signing them up for tournaments as far away as South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida. It made the boys and their parents more than a team; they became one big family. The boys he coached have never forgotten about coach Bobby: the kids would pop in to hang out at his house when they came home from college.

The key to his success was his personality. Bobby could tell a story with the best of them (“I turned around and…”) and no one ever forgot his smile. He loved to get away to Ocean City for the beach, the boards and Mac and Manco pizza.

Bobby was born in Roxborough, lived in Drexel Hill, PA during the first half of his marriage to Jennifer and later moved to Woolwich Twp where he resided for the remainder of his life. He worked as a district manager for B/C Collectibles and later as a sales manager for Coca Cola.

Good looking baseball players who bartend always get the girl. Bobby met the pretty Jennifer Sweeten while they were both students at Eastern. They’d share a 26 year marriage blessed by 4 children, Ashley, Ryan, Matthew and Emily; and later by grandchildren, Talon, Bryce and Scarlett. He is survived by his mother, Joanne and his siblings, Shawn and Lisa (John) Bridgers.

Come celebrate 50 great years Tuesday, December 7, 9-11 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 234 Hermitage Street, Philadelphia PA where mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Donations in lieu of flowers to his children’s education fund (https://gofund.me/047f840c) will be appreciated.

6 Comments

  1. John Bustard says:

    A good guy who loved his wife, his children, his family and baseball. He will be remembered by many who loved him.

  2. Dee Washburn says:

    Jennifer and family,

    I am so deeply sorry for your loss. My son, Sean Finerghty, spoke so highly about Bobby, and I did meet him years ago when they played baseball together at Eastern. The friendship that they had along with their teammates was admirable.

    I will keep you and your family in my prayer during this difficult time.

    With my deepest sympathy,
    Dee Washburn

  3. Rich Tickner says:

    Thinking about Bobby on this Sunday morning, and how his family must be dealing with this tragic loss so close to a time of joy and reflection. He will be remembered by many as “Porky” but the lives he touched will be grateful to have know his presence throughout a lifetime.
    Godspeed my friend-

  4. Bob and Cheryl Probert says:

    Jennifer, Ashley, and your entire family,
    We are so sorry and pass on our very sincere condolences. We treasure the Brian Dawkins placard that I had Bobby make for us last year. A piece of him will always be hanging on the walls of our home. He was so strong and fought as much as he could. We wish you all strength as your grieve. Hopefully you can fill the emptiness feelings with all of the loving family memories he brought to you family.
    With our deepest sympathies,
    Bob and Cheryl Probert

  5. Jim McAvoy says:

    Deepest sympathies to the Leahy family.

  6. Jack, Tim, Michele & Lindsay Dickinson says:

    To Jenn, Ashley, Ryan, Matt, and Emily-

    We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that the Dickinson family are forever grateful for the love of the game and joy he gave to us by way of the Warriors, and baseball in general. We are forever grateful as those years will always be special to us. We appreciate every moment spent at Locke Ave and wherever the tournaments took us.

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