With sadness we share the news of the passing of Joseph "Joe" Leidy, 86, on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. From Bishop Stark to Bishop Beckwith, Joe served the Diocese of Newark with dedication. A Celebration of his life will be held at the Church of the Redeemer in Morristown, on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 10 a.m.
The list of diocesan entities Joe served is long, and includes – but is not limited to – representing the Diocese of Newark as Deputy at seven consecutive General Conventions, from 1967 to 1985; serving on Diocesan Council for numerous terms spanning four decades; and serving on the Commission on Communications (1981-1984) and the Diocesan Investment Trust (1995-2004).
Joe's church membership began and ended in Morristown. For the last 37 years he was a member of the Church of the Redeemer; prior to that he was a member of St. Peter's. He was a member of the original committee that turned Redeemer's Rectory into the Eric Johnson House, a ministry for those with HIV and AIDS.
Joe played a role in Episcopal Church history when he presented the Rev. Canon Nancy Wittig, one of the "Philadelphia 11," for ordination in 1974, two years before General Convention authorized the ordination of women to the priesthood.
Joe also spent many years serving the Town of Morristown on various boards and as a Councilman.
In addition to his wife of 37 years, Kay, Joe is survived by sons Joseph and Paul (Mary); daughters, Beth and Amy (Jim); seven grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.
Condolences may be sent to Joe's wife, Kay Leidy, c/o Church of the Redeemer, 36 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960.
God, our Father, we thank you that you have made each of us in your own image, and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you. We thank you for Joe, the years we shared with him, the good we saw in him, the love we received from him. Now give us strength and courage, to leave him in your care, confident in your promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
