Gerald P. Leahy of Spokane, Washington passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, with his two daughters by his side. He was born February 16,1936 in Vancouver, BC, Canada to the late William John Leahy and Florie Mary Calbick Leahy. In 1964, he married his loving wife, Stephanna Roman, at St. Aloysius Church in Spokane. Stephanna proceeded him in death in 2016 and joyfully welcomed him to heaven. Gerry is survived by his brother, John Leahy of Vancouver, BC, his daughters, Kathleen (Brent) Pellegrini of Seattle, WA, Colleen (Kim) Kannaday of Bloomington, IL, and his three grandchildren: Roman Kannaday, Gabriella Pellegrini and Tanner Kannaday.

Gerry was born at St. Paul's Hospital (Sisters of Providence) in Vancouver, BC and attended grade school and high school in Vancouver before moving to Portland, Oregon where he received his BA in Social Science in 1959 from the University of Portland. While in college, he worked in Admitting and Social Services at Providence Hospital in Portland and discovered his passion for healthcare. He moved to Missouri and completed his Masters in Hospital Administration from St. Louis University in 1961 where his mentor, Reverend John J. Flanagan, S.J. recommended him to the Sisters of Providence for an internship at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington.

From 1961 until his retirement in 1996, Gerry spent his entire career at Sacred Heart with the Sisters of Providence where he found their commitment to the poor, the underserved and those in need an excellent match for his own values. He dedicated his work to the expansion of health care in the Pacific Northwest, growing Sacred Heart to the largest tertiary referral center between Spokane and Minneapolis. From 1961-1988 he served in several roles including Executive Vice President, Associate Administrator, Assistant Administrator and Administrative Assistant. He was appointed President/CEO in 1988 serving in this role until his retirement in 1996 where he was lovingly referred to as the Gentle Giant.

During his career, he served from 1982-1986 as a trustee of the American Hospital Association, Chair of the AHA's Western Region Policy Board, and from 1993-1996 as a Trustee and Secretary/Treasurer of the Catholic Hospital Association. He was Chair of the Washington State Hospital Association in 1977-1978, Washington State Conference of Catholic Hospitals and Northeastern Washington Hospital Association. He received three Washington State Gubernatorial Appointments: Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board, Washington State Family Practice Advisory Board, and the Joint Center for Higher Education. He was a President Clinton appointee to the 1995-1996 White House Pacific Rim Economic Conference.

In Spokane, his participation included Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Spokane County, Spokane Momentum Catholic Charities, Spokane County Cancer Association and Chair of the Spokane Joint Center Higher Education – Washington State University Foundation. Gerry received the Spokane Catholic Bishop's Award for service to Catholic Charities; St. Louis University Alumni Merit Award; University of Washington Medical School Excellence in Service Award and the Leadership and Service Award for the Spokane County Medical Association. In 1991, he served as the commencement speaker at the St. Louis University Masters in Healthcare Administration program as his daughter, Colleen, graduated.

Gerry was an avid golfer, stamp collector and enjoyed the horse races, but his greatest pleasure was bringing family together for vacations, especially cruises filled with family cocktail hours and lively dinners. Known as Popeye to his grandkids, he relished sharing stories, especially those about his time as a longshoreman in Vancouver, where he discovered his passion for being on the water. His love of travel took him to 43 countries where he and Stephanna had many great adventures. Passionate about history and culture, the two enjoyed the opera in Milan, the Great Pyramids in Cairo, and being among the first Americans to visit St. Petersburgh upon being re-opened to the west.

The family would like to recognize his special friend, Susan Keys, and her beautiful family who included Gerry in family gatherings over the last 8 years. In addition, we extend our thanks to his dedicated caregivers, especially Misty, Avery, Sam and Aubrey who loved and cared for him like family in his final years.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 11 am, located at 3327 S Perry St., Spokane, WA. A luncheon will immediately follow at Manito Country Club. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Catholic Charities Eastern Washington or Sacred Heart Children's Hospital.