The Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc. has offered distinctive compassion and professional service to our community since the door was opened by our founder, Joseph V. Leahy, on June 14, 1975. Joe greeted everyone with a smile, and of course, a kiss for the ladies. Joe was known for his jovial way, and his compassion for everyone he had the honor to serve. Joe died on June 22, 1998.

In 1973, Joseph V. Leahy decided that he was professionally qualified and well known in the Kingston area to establish a funeral business of his own. He joined Francis J McCardle, who would close his small one chapel establishment on Henry Street, and form a new corporation.

Mayor Francis R. Koenig snips a ribbon formally opening the new consolidated McCardle-Leahy Funeral Home at 27 Smith Avenue. The McCardle-Leahy Funeral Home was housed in the former Bruck building.

Pictured are Mrs. Bernice Leahy with Mr. Joseph V. Leahy, Mayor Francis R. Koenig, Mr. Francis J. McCardle and Mrs. Gertrude McCardle.

T. Robert Gallo of Andrew Street, Kingston, was elected secretary-treasurer of the McCardle-Leahy Funeral Home. At the time, he was ending his term as Kingston's Alderman-at-large. He was also a member of the Kingston Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 275, where he held the third and fourth degrees. He also belonged to the Kingston Moose and the Mid-Hudson Floral Association of the New York State Floral Association. He was president of the Carriage House Florist and Greenhouse on Foxhall Avenue.

The same tradition, which our founder Joseph V. Leahy built, is continued under owner and president Bernard C. Gray.

"Bernie", as he is known throughout the community, joined the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc. as a NYS-licensed Funeral Director on July 1, 1988. He also served as Vice-President until the death of Mr. Leahy on June 22, 1998.

Since joining the firm, Bernie has taken the funeral home to new levels of personalization and service, always staying ahead of the changes in the funeral profession.

Bernie believes, "If we fail to offer our families every option available to them, then we are not doing our job".  Cookie-cutter funerals are a thing of the past. Every service we offer and provide should be unique and personalized to the family and the loved one they are honoring. We feel a funeral is a celebration of a life and an opportunity to focus on the personal contributions and achievements in that life.

Bernard C. Gray

President / Certified Funeral Celebrant

Will, Bernie's son, joined the staff at Leahy's as a registered resident funeral director in 2012 after completing his academic session at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City and passing his National Board Examination. He was a fully licensed funeral director in 2013 after passing the New York State Funeral Directors Exam.

Will looks forward to serving the community with a higher level of service, respect, and professionalism that the community has grown to expect from the staff at the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home.

The Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc. has experience in meeting the challenge of providing large, high-profile funerals.

Pictured are the funeral procession for Mayor T. R. Gallo, the popular three-term Mayor who was found at home dead at the young age of 41 in January 2002, and the procession for Kingston Police Chief James K. Riggins in May 1998.