WEST ONEONTA - John R. (Doc) Leahy, 94, of West Oneonta, NY died Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at the Oneonta Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Binghamton on February 1, 1916, he was one of five children of John and Mabel (Lund) Leahy.

After graduating from Binghamton Central High in 1932, John took a job at IBM in Endicott, NY where he worked until being transferred, in the summer of 1938, to the NYC office of IBM to oversee the equipment on display at the World's Fair in Flushing Meadow, Long Island until 1940. He then worked for a short period of time at Scintilla, Sidney, NY before enrolling in the veterinary program at Cornell University, where he graduated in 1947. During his senior year he was a part-time instructor in the anatomy department where he continued to teach while enrolled in graduate school. John wrote his thesis on "muscles of the head, neck, shoulder & forelimb of the dog" which was incorporated in Cornell's "Dissection of Dogs Guide". He also taught an undergraduate laboratory class on animal restraint which prompted him to write his book "Restraint of Animals" which was used as a veterinary textbook around the world. He was a member of the Omega Tau Sigma fraternity. He also served on the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from 1958-1980.

On January 25, 1936 in Whitney Point, John married Mary Gwendolyn Wheat. In 1949 John and Gwen moved to Oneonta to set up a veterinary practice on Country Club Road, where he practiced until 1992.

John is survived by three sons and three daughters, Larry and Carole Leahy, John and Jacueline Leahy, Stephen and Lorraine Leahy, Kathleen Leahy and Wendy York, Robert and Arden (Leahy) Fleischer, and John and Cheryl (Leahy) Shackelton; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; a sister, Mary Harrington Utter of Oxford; a sister-in-law, Nancy Leahy of Whitney Point; a beloved friend and companion, Marion Green; and many nieces and nephews.

John was predeceased by his wife, Gwen in April of 1998; and a grandson, Eric Shackelton in April of 1997; and three brothers, Philip Leahy of Idaho, Charles Leahy of Whitney Point, and Gerald Leahy of Whitney Point.

John was instrumental in establishing the West Oneonta Fire Department and served as a Fire Commissioner thereafter for a number of years. He served on the Oneonta City Schools Board of Education from 1963-1982; and was a member of the Otego Rotary. His interests were many, some of which included raising standard bred horses and racing them at Vernon Downs and Monticello; paddling in the 70-mile General Clinton Canoe Regatta with his sons Larry and Steve; repairing old clocks; masonry work, including building the fieldstone fireplace at his prior homestead on Country Club Road, as well as building a handsome stone wall for daughter Kathy. He was a member of the American Chestnut Foundation. He enjoyed New York State history and local history, giving presentations on "the history of the dairy industry in Otsego County" in his later years. He loved any kind of project, and particularly enjoyed working with his hands building or repairing almost anything; as well as helping his friends and community in any way he could.

Dr. Leahy's family would like to thank all the wonderful staff at the Oneonta Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for their exceptional love and care.

At Dr. Leahy's request there will be no calling hours.

A memorial service will be 2 p.m., January 29, 2011 at the Lewis, Hurley, Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta with the Rev. Tim Thurber, pastor at the West Oneonta Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the Cooperstown SPCA, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326; the Otego Fire Department, 5 River St., Otego, NY 13825 or West Oneonta Fire District, 2865 County Highway 8, West Oneonta, NY 13861; or the charity of choice.

Condolences may be sent online to the family at, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.