Night to remember a giant of Port Norfolk

On Friday, Dec. 14, 2007 lifelong Port Norfolk resident Michael "Porpar" Leahy suffered a massive heart attack after working a long shift plowing snow at Logan Airport.

In a coma, Michael was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital. Family, friends, and Massport coworkers spent the greater part of a week trying to cheer him up by telling stories and playing his favorite music. When it was clear that Mike would not survive, everyone who loved him had a chance to say good-bye.

But how do you say farewell to someone like Mike Leahy; a husband, father, brother, uncle, coach and friend who always showed up to help others?

It was that very question that lead Mike's older brother Brian to book Florian Hall for Friday, May 23 and start planning "A Night to Remember Michael 'Porpar' Leahy."

"After Michael died, people wanted to do something and they wanted to get together in Michael's honor and show how much they miss him and how much they loved him," Brian says.

The Leahy Committee has been meeting weekly to plan the event. Friends from as far away as California and as close as Neponset Ave. will be filling Florian Hall to pay tribute to a man who was always there when others needed him. The event will include music, raffles, a Memory Book for people to share thoughts of Michael, and live and silent auctions for exciting items including kids birthday parties, tickets to sporting events, vacation get-aways, and more.

Although fundraising is certainly an objective in the planning of this "time," it goes far beyond that.

"My hope is that (Mike's wife) Pat and the boys (Dennis and Conor) will come to an even greater understanding of how much so many people thought of their husband and father. He meant so much to so many and we want to show them that," adds Brian Leahy.

Tickets to the event may be purchased in advance by calling Kaitlyn (Leahy) Brohel at 617-699-6549 but will also be available at the door. Tickets to win four Red Sox v. New York Yankees tickets are being sold for $10 a chance and may be purchased by calling Mike Brohel at 978-302-0607.

Two Chances to win a 10-day stay in a luxury three bedroom two bath home near the beautiful beaches and pristine golf courses of County Kerry, Ireland are being sold for $20/chance may be purchased by calling Mike Lynch at 617-596-2654. There will also be a $10,000 drawing. Only 300 tickets are being sold and there are just a few left. Call Craig Galvin at 617-947-6424 for availability.

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