City man honored with award from Catholic War Veterans

Oct. 3--POTTSVILLE -- Long active in his community and church, Leo F. Haley has received the most prestigious award given by one of the groups he has served for many years.

Haley, 84, of Pottsville, has become the latest member of The Honor Legion of the Order of St. Sebastian, the highest award presented by the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America. He received the award at the Catholic War Veterans 84th national convention on Aug. 17, in San Antonio, Texas.

"He has distinguished himself in many different ways -- military service, family, career, parish, community and service to veterans" wrote Edward Schwartz, adjutant of Catholic War Veterans Post 1051, Pottsville, in recommending Haley for the award.

Haley enlisted in the Navy in 1952, shortly after graduating from Pottsville Catholic High School, where he was class president.

He served aboard the USS Canisteo, a fleet oiler, for 2 1/2 years, being attached to the staff of the commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet for six months during the Korean War. Trained as a visual signalman, he was honorably discharged at the rank of QM3 in November 1955. He received the Good Conduct and World War II European Occupation medals and also served in the Inactive Reserves.

A member of the Catholic War Veterans for 52 years, Haley has served as commander of Post 1051 since 1993 and served as national commander of the organization from August 2011-August 2013.

In addition, Haley has served the organization as department (state) trustee, department second vice commander, department third vice commander, national second vice commander and national first vice commander. He has been a life member since 2004 and chaired the national conventions in Buffalo in 2010 and Portland, Maine, in 2016.

Also, Haley is a practicing Catholic and a registered member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.

The second youngest of five sisters and three brothers, Haley was born Nov. 8, 1934, in Pottsville, to Jacob J. and Katherine Lipsett Haley. He has many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Although he never married, his longtime companion is Mary Lou Boyer.

St. Sebastian, for whom the award is named, is the patron saint of the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America.

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6014

___

(c)2019 the Republican & Herald (Pottsville, Pa.)

Visit the Republican & Herald (Pottsville, Pa.) at republicanherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.