Robert D. 'Bob' O'Leary

HURLEY Wis. - Robert D. "Bob" O'Leary, 69, of Hurley, passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2015, in Hurley.

He was born May 9, 1946, in Ironwood, son of the late James and Ellen (Hill) O'Leary. He attended Hurley schools. Bob worked on the Great Lakes ore carriers, including the Edmund Fitzgerald. He knew all the men that perished when the "Fitz" went down in Lake Superior. Bob traveled under the Mackinac Bridge more than he traveled over it.

Bob was also a painter, employed by many local businesses and families. He enjoyed baking and was employed by Rigoni's Bakery and Randall's Bakery. He also worked for Greg's Towing, Quality Collision and Munn's Industrial and Home Cleaning.

He especially enjoyed the outdoors, walking and watching wildlife.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, where he sang in the choir. He was also a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. He was a proud member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Pere Menard Ironwood Council 1396.

He is survived by a sister, Patricia Sopko, of Glendora, Calif .; brother-in-law, Lawrence Levra, Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Marilyn Alstead, Geri Levra, Joan Oman and Kay Decker; a brother, David; and a brother-in-law, Clifford Decker.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley. Rev. Frank Kordek OFM will be the celebrant. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church on Tuesday.

The Knights of Columbus Pere Menard Ironwood Council 1396 Color Guard will be present.

Cremation will take place at the Range Crematory in Hurley.

Inurnment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory and the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Hurley and Ironwood has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.