Leo Joseph Haggerty

Please click on link below for slideshow of Leo's life.

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_eQEze8-s6CcUi15-JAkb2KehoIJmu3O/view?usp=drive_web 

Leo Joseph, of Lakewood, passed away on March 9, 2021 at the age of 94.

Leo was born in Towanda, Pennsylvania on October 26, 1926, to Frank and Josephine (Booth) Haggerty. Leo always felt fortunate and blessed to be part of this close knit family, and had many happy memories of his childhood with his 8 brothers and sisters.

Leo was an accomplished athlete, having starred in football, basketball, and track, but his most treasured memories were those on the gridiron, where for a number of years he and his brother Glenn were teammates. This dynamic duo led their Sayre High School football teams to great success, capped off by two undefeated seasons and one Pennsylvania State Championship title. Like most of those in the “Greatest Generation”, at age 18, Leo was recruited into the Navy (WWII). Soon the war ended, and after an honorable discharge, Leo enrolled at St, Bonaventure College to pursue his B.A in Sociology. At St. Bonaventure, Leo also excelled as a football player. As the team’s star running back, Leo’s speed, strength and punishing running style resulted in many school rushing records and contributed to many victories. His athleticism and dedication to the game of football led to him being recruited by several NFL teams ahead of the 1950 season. Leo ultimately decided to sign a $5,000 contract with the San Francisco 49ers!

An unfortunately timed appendicitis attack cut short his dream of playing professional football (no guaranteed contracts in 1950!). He redirected his considerable energy and talents to the strategic side of the game, starting as backfield coach for Santa Rosa Junior College during an epic 1950 season during which they won the State Championship. “Leo Street” in Santa Rosa is named in honor of his contribution to this team’s success.

Leo then moved to the Long Beach area to pursue his Master’s Degree in Education from USC. Soon after his arrival, he met the love of his life Charlotte Wilhelmi at a St. Anthony’s church dance. From that point forward they were inseparable, and they were married in June of 1955. Leo and Charlotte were happily married for 58 years until Charlotte’s passing in 2013. This fine couple raised five children, each of whom have many warm memories of growing up in Lakewood and count themselves as very lucky to have had Leo and Charlotte as their parents. Their kindness, emphasis on family, and their words of wisdom were a true blessing that will stay in all of their hearts forever.

Leo was a math and social studies teacher who had a long and successful coaching career at Loyola, St Anthony’s, and La Mirada High Schools. In 1954, Leo became head football coach at St. Anthony’s High School. During his seven-year tenure, his teams won over 70% of their games and ended nearly every season at the top of the league standings. In 1960 Leo took his teaching and coach talents to La Mirada High School, where over the span of 18 years he built another winning football program that included numerous league championships and CIF Playoff victories; and sent a number of players to successful college football careers. While his teams were very successful on the field, Leo was always most proud of how he was able to mentor and provide direction to his players and help them develop into “good citizens”, as he liked to say. Among the many to benefit from Leo’s mentorship was the late LA Rams wide receiver Jack Snow, who on many public occasions credited Leo for not only providing mentorship, but with personally opening the doors that provided Jack with the opportunity to attend Notre Dame, where Jack was named to the first team All-American Football Team.

Later in life, Leo and Charlotte embarked on a new career, joining forces as a successful real estate team with Robert Weil & Associates. In his retirement years Leo enjoyed sharing the latest in exercise equipment and fitness routines with all who would listen. He set an example for us all by keeping fit and physically active into his 80s, including playing tennis and daily walks around the neighborhood with Charlotte.

In heaven, Leo will join his beloved wife Charlotte, his dear grandson Corey, and many other friends and family that left this earth before him. He leaves behind his loving sons Terry, Kent (Stacey), Darren (Heidi), Kevin, and Dennis; grandchildren Sean, Erin, Alex, Eric (Chelsea), David; Grace, Ethan; Emelie, and great-grandson Wyatt.  Leo will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Anthony High School in the name of “The Leo Haggerty Memorial Fund”. Financial contributions will support "The Building Our Future Campaign" for the renovation of St. Anthony High School Athletic Fields. Please make checks payable to “St. Anthony High School – Leo Haggerty Memorial Fund” and send to St. Anthony High School, 620 Olive Avenue, Long Beach CA, 90802 c/o Gina Mascaro, Director of Advancement.

Due to Covid restrictions, in person attendees will be strictly limited and require approval of attendance in advance. The family has arranged a live stream of the funeral services and invites you to join them on March 30th at 10:30am for Rosary and at 11:00am for Funeral Services. Services can be viewed at those times via live stream at

Memorial Service 10:30 am:

 https://youtu.be/-q4BryRfmVE 

Burial Service 12:00 pm:

 https://youtu.be/_A2nnVsDx-I 

Graveside Services immediately following at All Souls Cemetery, 4400 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, California.

Leo's graveside side service

  https://youtu.be/h3Ik89vpw90  

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401