Obituary of Stephen J Leahy

Stephen Leahy passed away from the effects of brain cancer on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at the Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln.  He was 65 years old.  Stephen was raised in Arlington and from a very early age he had a passion for learning.  He was an avid reader and hardworking student, and always sought perfection in school.  He attended St. Agnes Elementary School, graduated from B.C. High in 1977 and from Harvard College in 1981 with a degree in English and American Literature and Language.  He also earned a Master’s Degree in 1994 from the Fletcher School at Tufts University in International Relations.  He had an incredible memory and was highly recruited as a trivia partner.

Stephen worked with the New England Governors Conference from 1982 to 1996, where he rose to the position of Director, Energy & Environment/ Canadian Program.  While at the Governors Conference, he became involved with issues of joint interest to both New England and the Maritime Provinces of Canada, which led to his long-standing relationship with the New England-Canada Business Council. In 1996, he moved to the Northeast Gas Association, where he spent the balance of his career as Vice President of Policy and Analysis. Stephen greatly enjoyed his professional colleagues throughout his career. 

Stephen was a devout Catholic and a man of faith.  He was a longtime parishioner at St. Agnes Church in Arlington and St. Paul’s Church in Harvard Square, Cambridge. 

He enjoyed going to the theater, concerts and dining with friends.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, in particular, his mother, three brothers, their wives and children, his many cousins and surviving uncle and aunts and his many close friends and business colleagues.  Stephen greatly appreciated all of his family, friends and colleagues who were kind enough to visit him during his extended stay at the Hospice House.  Those visits brightened his days.  His brothers sheepishly acknowledge that Stephen was "The Favorite Uncle."

Stephen was the beloved son of Catherine “Kay” (Keohane) and the late William of Arlington. Loving brother of William & his wife Deborah of Falls Church, VA, Robert & his wife Jennifer of Sudbury and David & his wife Jacqueline of Billerica. Proud uncle of Kevin, Denis, Krissy, Michelle and Emily Leahy, Maura Leahy-Martin & her husband Nathan, Susan Vannette & her husband Samuel. Great uncle of Will Martin. Stephen is also survived by many loving cousins and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Agnes Church, 32 Medford St. Arlington on Saturday October 19 at 10am a.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

The family invites you to join in a celebration of Stephen’s life following the burial, details to be provided at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Stephen’s name may be made to the National Brain Tumor Society (click on the link) or go to www.braintumor.org

Arrangements under the direction of the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, Burlington.

For obituary, memorial video and online guest book see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net