DETROIT — Fr. James O’Leary is remembered as a kind and compassionate priest by those he served as pastor during his years of active ministry in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

“Thank you, Fr. O’Leary for the strength, support and guidance for our family when we were children growing up at St. Pius in Southgate. No words could capture what you meant to us growing up,” wrote Matt Parent of Carleton in the online remembrance book, http://dcobits.tributes.com.

Paul Kaczor, a parishioner at St. Hubert Parish in Harrison Township, Fr. O’Leary’s last pastorate before retirement, called him “a great priest and a wonderful, caring and humble man.”

Another of his parishioners from his time at St. Hubert Parish, Marilyn Schrinel, said, “Fr. O’Leary was truly a great man! Gentle, humble and caring.”

Fr. O’Leary died March 20. He was 82.

Born June 1, 1930, in Detroit to James and Della O’Leary, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit on June 2, 1956.

Fr. O’Leary’s many assignments included serving as associate pastor at St. Lucy Parish, St. Clair Shores; St. Agatha Parish, Redford Township; and St. Jude Parish, Detroit.

He was pastor of St. Pius X Parish, Southgate; and St. Hubert Parish, Harrison Township, during which time he also served as chaplain at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Harrison Township.

Besides the many personal memories, another lasting aspect of his ministry at St. Hubert Parish, is the oratory built on the parish campus. Situated just off Metropolitan Parkway, it soon became a popular place to stop and pray, including for people with no other connection to the parish (as the writer of this obituary can attest from the times he took his mother there).

Fr. O’Leary was predeceased by his parents, and a sister, Catherine McVann. He is survived by a sister, Mary O’Leary, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was celebrated March 22 at St. Hubert Church, Harrison Township. Interment was in Knollwood Cemetery, Canton Township.

Condolences may be sent to Mary O’Leary, 2048 Wickham, Royal Oak, 48073.

Memorials to Capuchin Soup Kitchen or Trappist Monks.