Joseph F. Leary, Sr.
Joseph F. Leary, Sr. peacefully went home to the Lord on 20 May 2022 at his home in Culpeper surrounded by his loving family. He was 80 years old.
Joe was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia to parents Kenneth and Lula Leary who preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Margaret Leary, two sons, Joey (wife Leslee and two sons Chris (wife Jackie) and Sean) and Brad (wife Maricel), and stepdaughter Whitney (children Nyx, Matthew (wife Courtney and daughter Audrey), and Winston).
Joe had a happy childhood growing up in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia and graduated from Berkeley Springs High School.
Joe developed a love of music in his early years and attended the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music graduating with a degree in music, specializing in piano and flute.
He later attended Virginia Commonwealth University, obtaining his master’s degree in music education.
Joe served as a music teacher in Amelia, Virginia after graduating from Shenandoah Conservatory and moved to Culpeper in 1972 where he became a music teacher and then later moved on to become an Assistant Principal at the new Culpeper County Junior High School. He loved all his students and took great pleasure in sharing the gift of music with them. After leaving the school system, Joe became an insurance agent for Nationwide Insurance and retired in 2017.
Joe had numerous hobbies during his life. He enjoyed collecting antique Lionel and Marx trains as well as antique toy cars and trucks. He had a particular passion for vehicles but especially for Harley Davidson motorcycles. Joe enjoyed riding the back roads around Culpeper and heading up to see his parents in Berkeley Springs on the numerous Harley Sportsters he owned throughout his life.
Joe’s two primary life passions though were his wife Margaret and performing music.
Margaret and Joe were inseparable throughout their 45 years of marriage. Margaret worked with him at his insurance office and it was rare to not see them together. Their love for each other was unmatched and everlasting as they enjoyed life together about town and traveling to see their kids, whether they were in Germany, Virginia, or any other location.
Joe enjoyed playing piano anywhere and for anyone from the baby grand piano at his house for any visitors he and Margaret received, to the Culpeper Country Club, to the piano down at the Train Depot in Culpeper, to playing with dear friends in a small band when they would vacation in Nags Head. He loved to perform and sing for anyone who would listen, to include his mailman when he dropped off Joe and Margaret’s mail to them. Joe was an exceptionally talented musician. He could play practically any instrument to include piano, organ, brass, woodwinds, strings, guitar, banjo, and mandolin. Joe continued to play his baby grand piano right up to the end of his time here on earth. His eyes would light up every time he sat down behind the keys or he saw his beloved wife.
Joe’s family received friends, family, and visitors at the Culpeper Country Club on Saturday, 28 May 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Culpeper Public Schools Music Department. Checks can be made payable to the Culpeper Middle School. Checks should be mailed to the following address: Pearl Jamison, 471 James Madison Highway, Suite 201, Culpeper, Virginia, 22701.
An online guestbook and tribute wall are available at www.foundandsons.com Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
