Joseph Dunleavy, 83, postal worker

Joseph F. Dunleavy, 83, of Kent, a former Ridgefielder who had worked at the post office here, died on Friday morning, June 18, 2004, at his home. He was 83 years old and the husband of the late Eleanor Conti Dunleavy.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Sept. 24, 1920, Mr. Dunleavy was a son of the late Joseph and Mary Kane Dunleavy. When he was a boy, his family moved to Danbury where he attended schools and graduated from Danbury High School in the Class of 1938.
Mr. Dunleavy was a World War II veteran of the Army’s 192nd Field Artillery. He served in Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons, New Guinea and Luzon and was a recipient of the American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Star.
He moved to Ridgefield in 1952 and had been outgoing mail clerk for the U.S. Postal Service in Ridgefield, retiring about 20 years ago. He moved to Kent 10 years ago. There, he was known in recent years for coming to town each day on his scooter and having coffee with the local old-timers. He became known as “Scooter Joe” and in May, was asked to lead the Memorial Day parade aboard his scooter.
Mr. Dunleavy is survived by a son, Timothy F. Dunleavy of Danbury; a sister, Nancy Mortimer of Danbury; a brother-in-law Ernest Conti and his wife Cynthia of Ridgefield.
Graveside services with military honors took place on Wednesday in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
The Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.