Kenneth J. O'Leary

Kenneth J. O'Leary, 70, died peacefully at Joanne's House at Hope Hospice in Bonita Springs, Florida, on October 27, 2016. Born on February 4, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York to Robert J. O'Leary and Kathyleen Dahl O'Leary, Ken grew up in Brooklyn, attended Xaverian High School, and in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in 1963. He attended Broward Junior College. In 1967 Ken enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was the Honor Graduate in his class at Parris Island, SC. He served his country for three years in Signal Intelligence. Following his military service, he worked in the construction business in Fort Lauderdale before moving to Jacksonville, Florida. In the Jacksonville area, Ken was a highly successful home builder, constructing hundreds of homes in the Tanglewood and Villages of Fireside subdivisions, among many others. He worked with the County Housing Finance Authority to provide affordable interest rates at a time of high interest rates, making home ownership possible for hundreds of families. In 1986, he was presented with the Builder of the Year award. Ken was the founding chairman of the Clay County Builders Association, a division of the North East Florida Builders Association of the National Association of Home Builders. Ken was also a founding member of the Clay County Charter Commission, tasked with converting the county's governance to the Charter model. In Jacksonville, Ken was a member of the Orange Park Rotary Club and the Hibernia Royal Marching and Social Club. In 1995, Ken and his wife, Gail, moved to Naples, Florida. Ken was employed as a Senior Purchasing Manager with WCI and as Vice President for Planning & Development with Twin Eagles Development Company. As a Certified Building Contractor, he provided construction consulting services through his company, Paradise Gulf Corporation. In 2009, Ken co-founded and was a charter member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Critical Thinking, which has grown into a vital community institution, served as President of the Board for 5 years and frequently served as moderator for Center forums. Ken joined the Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board Inc. in 2005, serving as VP and President 2011-2015. Ken volunteered with the Naples Players starting in 2005 in the backstage crew and sound board. Joined the Board of Directors , served as President and most recently serving on the Finance Committee. Ken was a creative visionary, known for his intellect, widely-varied interests, and service to the communities in which he lived. He was a big man with a big heart. During his years in north east Florida, he played Santa Claus for the Clay County Builders Association Annual Christmas Food Give-away, white beard and all. Ken loved his family. He cherished his wife, Gail; his daughter, Erin O'Leary Comes and her husband Monty, his son, Aaron Isban; his granddaughter Kennedy Comes, his grandson Beck Comes; and his brother, Robert and wife Carolyn. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Naples Community Church on November 11, 2016 at 11:30 AM. Burial will be private at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to Joanne's House at Hope Hospice in Bonita Springs, FL, or to the Naples Players, Inc. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home

Kenneth J. O'Leary

February 4, 1946 - October 27, 2016