Obituary of Leo Joseph McCoy

Leo Joseph McCoy March 09, 1928 - July 09, 2004 Leo J. McCoy, 76, of Southbury passed away Friday, July 9, 2004 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital after a long, courageous battle wiht Leukemia. He was the beloved husband of Esther (Bailey) McCoy for 49 years. He was born March 9, 1928, son of the late Francis and Elizabeth (Keenan) McCoy. He attended schools in Danbury and was a graduate of Henry Abbott Technical School as an electrician. He was a member of the Local 488IBEW. Mr. McCoy also served his country in the United States Army from 1950 - 1952 and was stationed in Germany. A founder and former President of Datahr in Danbury, he spent his entire life advocating for the developmentally disabled. He also assisted in establishing the First Day Services providing for this population. Mr. McCoy was also well known in the New England area with his food concessions "THE REAL McCOY'S." After his family, Mr. McCoy had a lifelong passion for flying. He obtained his pilot license at age 16 and flew out of the Danbury Airport. He was known throughout the local flying community as "Putt-Putt McCoy." He is survived by his wife and two sons, Leo J. McCoy, Jr. and William J. McCoy of Southbury. He was a devoted and dedicated father to his sons and his love for them was never ending. Mr. McCoy's focus was to speak out on behalf of his sons. His favorite expression was "As long as I'm alive, I am their voice, I am their mouthpiece." He is also survived by one sister, Arlene Stone of Danbury and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Information "To know Leo is to Love him, his beautiful soul lives on among us." A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 14th at Sacred Heart Church, Southbury at 11:00am. Entombment will follow in the family Mausoleum in Wooster Cemetery, Danbury. Friends may call at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury, on Tuesday, July 13th between the hours of 5 and 8pm. Donations Information Donations may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, Cancer Research Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York, 10021-6007