May 15, 1939 – April 5, 2023
Robert Joseph O'Leary, May 15, 1939 to April 5th, 2023. Predeceased by his parents, Mary and Denis O'Leary; his two older brothers, Denis and Jerome,(Ome); survived by his younger siblings, Kevin, and his twin sisters, Julie and Aileen.
Born and raised in the Upper Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, a graduate of Saint Paul's Grammar School, Riordan High School and San Francisco State with a BS in Chemistry. After two years of service in the US Army, he began a successful career with several food companies, working in their labs as chief chemist. Later, he went to work in the water treatment industry, working for several cities in California.
A lifelong bachelor, he's remembered by his sisters-in-law, Rose and Nadine, and his many nieces and nephews for his humor and adding color to their lives.
Though a native of San Francisco, he was, unbelievably, an Oakland Raider fan; he had season tickets with his sister, Julie, and his friends, Louie Mason and Everett Greer. As shocking as this sounds, the rest of the family prayed a nightly Rosary for their return to sanity.
His other passion was Texas Hold 'EM at Lucky Chances Casino in Colma. He claimed to be a big winner on several occasions. He had a framed picture of himself with a big pot of money in front of him. I guess that Irish kid was able to snag a leprechaun that day!! His siblings were shocked to learn that he actually woke up at 6am to get to Lucky Chances to get $150 worth of chips for just $100 by 7am!! He was the hardest to get up as a kid; his mom said," He'd sleep through the next big one"!! His dad's nickname for Bob was "Horizontal".
He had been in failing health in recent years, and the family thanks his caregivers at Hopkins Manor in Redwood City. The workers there called him , "Mr. President", or "General Bob". His sister, Julie, was his guardian angel the last few years of life, making sure he got the attention and caregiving he needed. We should all be so lucky!!
