First Brookline Town Administrator Dick Leary Dies, 85

BROOKLINE, MA — Former Brookline Town Administrator Richard T "Dick" Leary passed away on March 11 at the age of 85, according to his obituary. This weekend Brookline police participated in an honor guard at his funeral in Brookline Village.

"Whether as family leader or public servant, Dick's was a life of service," reads his obituary online at legacy.com.

Family described him as "a gentleman, a family man, a courageous man - who never gave up and who always did the right thing."

Leary was born in Medford, Massachusetts. He attended Malden Catholic High School and played on the 1948 Malden Catholic State Championship hockey team. He attended Vermont Academy where he continued his hockey career. Leary also played hockey under the legendary Dartmouth College coach Edward "Jerry" Jeremiah and graduated from Dartmouth with a degree in Government. He then received a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Boston University, according to his obituary.

He served as Medford Assistant City Manager under City Manager James Shurtleff and then moved to Brookline in 1960 as Executive Secretary working with Arthur O'Shea.

In 1985, Dick was appointed as Brookline's first ever Town Administrator, a position he held until 1994. He also help found the Town Administrator form of government in Swampscott after his Brookline years of service.

Leary was a Master Lecturer at Boston University's Metropolitan College for 20 years, mentoring new generations of public servants. He was past President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, past Director and Board Member of the Brookline Chamber of Commerce, past President of the Brookline Rotary Club, and served on many town boards and committees.

He completed his career as General Manager of the Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline.

His obituary says Leary was devoted to his Family.

"He was the family patriarch, hosting extended family yearly reunions for 40 years and teaching all of us the true meaning of Family Spirit," reads his obituary on Legacy.com.

His funeral was Saturday at the St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Brookline and he was interned at Holyhood Cemetery.

His wife, of 61 years, Loys "Lindy" Lindgren, and his son Richard T. Leary Jr. predeceased him. Leary leaves behind his children Susan Leary of Chestnut Hill, Linda Leary of Chestnut Hill, and Elise and Alan Lapham of Reading. He also leaves behind two grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donation in memory of Dick made to the Richard T. Leary Scholarship Fund at Brookline High School, 115 Greenough St., Brookline, MA. 0244

Photo courtesy Brookline Police