Obituary for Leo G. Degnan
Leo G. Degnan of Warrington passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Abington Jefferson Memorial Hospital. He was 85 years old.
Leo was the husband of the late Roseanne (McLernon) Degnan who passed away in 2005. Together they shared 49 years of marriage. Leo was a loving partner and caregiver to Roseanne. Especially in her later years, when he helped extend the quality and years of her life as she suffered with COPD.
Originally from the Tacony section of Philadelphia where he attended St Leo’s parish school, Leo was the son of the late Francis and Catherine (Suter) Degnan.
Leo had served his country as a Sergeant in the US Army in the 79th Signaling Company.
Leo graduated from North Catholic High School class of 1953. After returning from his military service, he worked in banking and with the Pennsylvania Railroad. While newly married with a young family, he enrolled in enrichment courses to gain him entry at Drexel University in Electrical Engineering where he graduated in 1962. He subsequently went on to night school to receive a Master’s Degree from The Pennsylvania State University in 1971.
As an engineer, he spoke very fondly about being on the forefront of the computer age. He went on to work with Philco Ford in the early 60’s and then in the early 70’s with Burroughs Corporation (aka Unisys Corporation) designing mainframe computers where he retired in 1997.
Leo spent his younger years boating and water skiing on Lakes Lenape in NJ and Wallenpaupack in the Poconos. A highlight for him was summertime at the Jersey shore. He was an avid reader and exceptional pinochle card player. Leo liked road trips and would often take the family to historical sites or to visit relatives in Utah. With a passion for researching family history and genealogy, he found the origins of the Degnan name to 440 AD and also family roots through the Civil War. He made several trips to both Utah and Ireland to conduct the research and gain copies of important records. He enjoyed sharing his heritage with friends and family.
Leo had a methodical and astute mind. He could be found working on cars and repairing items. He was the master of the quick fix. He was a MacGyver type who found ways to use readily available household items as part of the solution. He appeared enamored with dental floss (maybe because it was free from the dentist) as it popped up in a number of his quick fixes. He was the one stop shop for help with mathematics for many generations of family and friends alike. Teaching everything from simple arithmetic/algebra to calculus and differential equations to aspiring accountants, nurses, pharmacists, and engineers. Many will recall their experiences with him at the slate blackboard he had mounted in his basement. Throughout his life, Leo stayed up on current events and kept close to politics; Fox News and Rush played 24-7, often simultaneously.
He was physically active as he entered his retirement years. He made it a daily priority. Bike rides and light jogs at the shore were always on the day’s task list. He enjoyed his many daily walks around Central Park in Doylestown Twp. He viewed lawn mowing and snow removal as exercise and continued to do these things even in his later years.
But most of all, Leo loved his family and could be counted on to give advice, lend a hand, or get together for a meal or a cup of tea. For Leo, it was family first. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Affectionately referred to as, The Old Man, Leo is survived by his children, Donna, Gerald (Maryanne), James, and Roseanne (Mark Chaballa). He was the brother of William (Roseann) and the late Francis (Kathleen) Degnan and Catherine Picozzi. Lovingly known as Pop, he is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, State St. Doylestown. Interment will follow in St. John Neumann Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 5 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the Shelly Funeral Home, 1460 Easton Rd., Warrington and on Thursday at the Church from 10:00 - 10:45 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Abington Health Foundation/John J. Kelly Institute for Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality, 1200 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001.
Leo was the husband of the late Roseanne (McLernon) Degnan who passed away in 2005. Together they shared 49 years of marriage. Leo was a loving partner and caregiver to Roseanne. Especially in her later years, when he helped extend the quality and years of her life as she suffered with COPD.
Originally from the Tacony section of Philadelphia where he attended St Leo’s parish school, Leo was the son of the late Francis and Catherine (Suter) Degnan.
Leo had served his country as a Sergeant in the US Army in the 79th Signaling Company.
Leo graduated from North Catholic High School class of 1953. After returning from his military service, he worked in banking and with the Pennsylvania Railroad. While newly married with a young family, he enrolled in enrichment courses to gain him entry at Drexel University in Electrical Engineering where he graduated in 1962. He subsequently went on to night school to receive a Master’s Degree from The Pennsylvania State University in 1971.
As an engineer, he spoke very fondly about being on the forefront of the computer age. He went on to work with Philco Ford in the early 60’s and then in the early 70’s with Burroughs Corporation (aka Unisys Corporation) designing mainframe computers where he retired in 1997.
Leo spent his younger years boating and water skiing on Lakes Lenape in NJ and Wallenpaupack in the Poconos. A highlight for him was summertime at the Jersey shore. He was an avid reader and exceptional pinochle card player. Leo liked road trips and would often take the family to historical sites or to visit relatives in Utah. With a passion for researching family history and genealogy, he found the origins of the Degnan name to 440 AD and also family roots through the Civil War. He made several trips to both Utah and Ireland to conduct the research and gain copies of important records. He enjoyed sharing his heritage with friends and family.
Leo had a methodical and astute mind. He could be found working on cars and repairing items. He was the master of the quick fix. He was a MacGyver type who found ways to use readily available household items as part of the solution. He appeared enamored with dental floss (maybe because it was free from the dentist) as it popped up in a number of his quick fixes. He was the one stop shop for help with mathematics for many generations of family and friends alike. Teaching everything from simple arithmetic/algebra to calculus and differential equations to aspiring accountants, nurses, pharmacists, and engineers. Many will recall their experiences with him at the slate blackboard he had mounted in his basement. Throughout his life, Leo stayed up on current events and kept close to politics; Fox News and Rush played 24-7, often simultaneously.
He was physically active as he entered his retirement years. He made it a daily priority. Bike rides and light jogs at the shore were always on the day’s task list. He enjoyed his many daily walks around Central Park in Doylestown Twp. He viewed lawn mowing and snow removal as exercise and continued to do these things even in his later years.
But most of all, Leo loved his family and could be counted on to give advice, lend a hand, or get together for a meal or a cup of tea. For Leo, it was family first. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Affectionately referred to as, The Old Man, Leo is survived by his children, Donna, Gerald (Maryanne), James, and Roseanne (Mark Chaballa). He was the brother of William (Roseann) and the late Francis (Kathleen) Degnan and Catherine Picozzi. Lovingly known as Pop, he is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, State St. Doylestown. Interment will follow in St. John Neumann Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 5 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the Shelly Funeral Home, 1460 Easton Rd., Warrington and on Thursday at the Church from 10:00 - 10:45 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Abington Health Foundation/John J. Kelly Institute for Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality, 1200 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001.