LEWISTON – Former Representative and State Senator Donald R. O’Leary Sr., 82, of Mexico, died Monday, Jan. 23, at the Central Maine Medical Center. He was a resident of Main Street, Mexico, for many years.

He was born in Rumford, on Oct. 21, 1923, a son of Daniel and Lucille (Swett) O’Leary Jr., and graduated from Mexico High School Class of 1941.

He served in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Metalsmith, 3rd C from Feb. 4, 1943 to Dec. 17, 1945, during World War II.

He had been employed at Boise Cascade Paper Co. in Rumford for over 34 years until retirement as a lab technician in 1982, and had also served as a former union president.

Don was a communicant of St. Theresa Church, member of Napoleon Ouellette Post 24, American Legion, member Rumford Falls Aerie 1248, FOE, formerly served as Oxford County treasurer, formerly served in the House of Representatives for two terms and the Maine State Senate for eight terms, and most recently has served on the planning board and as a selectman for the town of Mexico.

He has been very active in state and local politics until his death. He was active in the Democratic Party attending many state conventions. He was a compassionate listener who would defend the rights of his constituents and could always be counted on to follow through with his promises.

He was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing, especially at his camp in Byron.

He was instrumental in creating the first Maine State Veterans Home in South Paris.

He was married in Rumford, on Dec. 4, 1943, to the former Marilyn Ruth Brown, who survives of Mexico.

Other survivors include three daughters, Donna Martin and husband, Louis, of Auburn, Jayne Witas and husband, David, of Lewiston, Melissa O’Leary and companion, Timothy Bouchard, of Auburn; three sons, Thomas and wife, Julie, of Crestview, Fla., Timothy and Donald O’Leary Jr., of Byron; a brother, John O’Leary, of Rumford; two sisters, Eleanor Patrie, of Rumford, Mary Lou Doyle and husband, Christopher, of Dunwoody, Ga.; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; two sisters, Dorothy Hosie and Geraldine Lambert; and three brothers, Gordon, Ivus “Ike,” and Gerald O’Leary.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at CMMC for their compassion and care.