Dennis O'Leary

Dennis Joseph OLeary, 66, of Great Falls, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2016.He was born December 10, 1949 in San Rafael, California to Joseph and Floris OLeary, the second of eight children (four brothers and three sisters). Dennis spent his childhood in California, Alaska, and Butte, America, until the family settled in Great Falls in 1962. He attended St. Joseph School and graduated from Great Falls Central High School in 1968. He started as a laborer, developed his carpentry skills, and became a contractor in the 1970s, working on residential and commercial jobs in the area. Leo Tempel was his first mentor, and Denniss passion for construction grew with every structure he completed. He built his business one job and customer at a time. He was always focused on customer service and providing the best product possible, a trait his sons inherited in their own construction businesses.For more than 40 years he built custom homes, remodeled, and took on various projects for the Catholic Diocese. His major jobs included remodeling Holy Family Church, construction of the Stites Retirement Homes, and his crowning achievement, the Poor Clares of Montana Monastery. In addition to building his business, Dennis spent his life building his family. He was married to Susan Werner from 1971 to 1996. He married Susan Norris Reed in August 1997 and gained a loving partner for the rest of his life.Dennis had three children, Erin Burch (Theron), Joseph OLeary (Laurie), and John OLeary (Dawn); and his stepson Drew Reed. In addition to loving his children, Dennis adored his grandchildren, Shane, Vanessa, Maddy, Grant, Spencer, Seth, Jackson, Ellie, and Kenzie. As good as he was at carpentry he was an even better father and grandpa. His love of family extended to his friends, making them family, too.Dennis enjoyed camping, his time with his friends, and his family. His first trip to Holland Lake in 1959 started a tradition that the OLearys have upheld for nearly every year since. He embraced everyone he met with humor and hospitality.Dennis was preceded in death by his father Joe OLeary and best friend Don Kranz.A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. At Dennis request, a picnic at Lions Park Pavilion will follow the service. Private interment will be at the Poor Clares of Montana Monastery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Donations in Dennis name are suggested to the Poor Clares of Montana or Southside Community Garden.