Patrick O’Leary graduated from DeSales High School in 1974, where he was involved in football, basketball, Student Council, Yearbook, Pep Club, and Teen Club. During his senior year, DeSales counselor Dick Cooper helped Pat explore his options after graduation and encouraged him to consider military service. Pat followed that advice and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps while still in high school.
Pat served from 1974 to 1978 as an avionics technician and crew chief with HMX-1, the Marine Corps squadron that supports "Marine One" the helicopter used to transport the president. During his four years of service, he traveled on numerous White House missions, including spending Christmas in 1977 with President Gerald Ford in Vail, Colorado, and his 21st birthday with President Jimmy Carter at Camp David. In August 1978, shortly before completing his service, Pat was selected for a presidential lift, flying President Carter from Andrews Air Force Base to the White House. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant and received the Presidential Service Badge, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.
Following his military service, Pat began a 40-year career with UPS, retiring in 2018 as a Human Resources manager. He has dedicated decades to serving his community through organizations including the DeSales High School Advisory Board, Jefferson County Board of Education, Catholic Education Foundation, Learning Disabilities Association of Kentucky, Marine Corps League, and American Legion. His service has been recognized with the Business First Salute to Veterans Award, the Learning Disabilities Association of Kentucky Community Support Award, and the designation of Kentucky Colonel.
Pat is the proud father of Colleen and Connor O’Leary. He credits DeSales with giving him lifelong friendships, strong values, and the foundation that helped shape the person he became. He remains especially grateful to Dick Cooper, whose guidance helped set him on a path that would define much of his life.