Colin Patrick O’Leary, 42, of Warsaw, passed away at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 17, 2013, at Mason Health and Rehab of Warsaw after a long and uncomplaining battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He was born Sept. 23, 1970, in Lansing, Mich., to Stephen O’Leary and Diane Kay Peterson Barron, who both survive. As a toddler he was called “Caboose.” He was thought of by several people as the “Gentle Giant.” He was a big man with a kind heart and a gentle nature. He was a 1989 graduate of North Farmington Hills High School in Michigan. From 1990-1991 he received training at STIRC in Plainwell, Mich. He had been a resident of Kosciusko County for the past 18 years where he worked at Owen’s Supermarket in Warsaw as a custodian and laborer. He and his ready smile will be missed. He will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Diane Kay (and spouse Donald G. Barron), Worley, Idaho; father, Stephen (and spouse Anne Marie) O’Leary, Commerce, Mich.; two brothers, Neil O’Leary, Tempe, Ariz., and Jay Barron, Spokane, Wash.; two stepbrothers, Thomas (and spouse Kellie) McCarthy and Patrick (and spouse Cassie) McCarthy, all of Michigan; grandmother, Eileen O’Leary, Hanover, Mich.; longtime special friend, Tammy Lane, Warsaw; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. No visitation or services are planned. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery, Jackson, Mich. Arrangements are entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw. ***** Memorials to Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, IN 46581-1196; or to the ALS Association Indiana Chapter, 6525 E. 82nd St. #115, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Condolences may be sent via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
