Joseph “Joe” Leidy, a former Morristown councilman and planning board member who was involved in the Headquarters Plaza project, will be remembered by friends and family at a service on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer.
Leidy died on Feb. 25. He was 86.
In addition to his public service, Leidy was active at Redeemer, where he was a member for 37 years. Before that, he worshiped at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown.
According to the Diocese of Newark, Leidy played a historic role in 1974 by presenting the Rev. Canon Nancy Wittig, one of the “Philadelphia 11,” for ordination — two years before the governing body of the church approved the ordination of women as priests.
Leidy also served on the committee that transformed Redeemer’s rectory into the Eric Johnson House, a transitional residence for people with HIV and AIDS.
Between 1967 and 1985, Leidy was a deputy at seven General Conventions for the Diocese; he also served on the Diocesan Council, the Commission on Communications (1981-1984) and the Diocesan Investment Trust (1995-2004).
He was a town official in the 1970s when Headquarters Plaza, the town’s tallest office complex, took shape on Speedwell Avenue. The 1978 master plan lists him as council liaison to the planning board.
Leidy is survived by his wife of 37 years, Kay; sons Joseph and Paul (Mary); daughters, Beth and Amy (Jim); seven grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.
Condolences may be sent to Kay Leidy, c/o Church of the Redeemer, 36 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960.
Saturday’s celebration of Leidy’s life starts at 10 am.
This report includes material from the Episcopal Diocese of Newark.
