John Plunkett Leddy

John Plunkett Leddy, MD died peacefully on Mar.19, 2023, in the presence of loving family and caregivers. Predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Alice Leddy, and sister, Barbara Ruff. Survived by his children: Mark Leddy (Mindy Peden); Sarah Leddy, MD (Blake Held); Jeffrey Leddy (Lisa Richmond). Grandchildren: Cameron Held; Emily Held; Jaz Leddy; Ember Leddy, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

John was born in NYC and lost his father early in life, thereby becoming the patriarch of the family at a young age. After high school he attended Fordham University then received his MD from Columbia University. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Boston University Medical Center.  As a member of the U.S. Army, John completed a fellowship at Walter Reed Medical Center and, after military service another at the University of Rochester. John spent nearly the entirety of his career at the U of R Medical Center, serving as Chief of the Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology Department for 26 years.  Despite authoring innumerable medical publications and making significant contributions to the field of immunology, his greatest joy was likely found in mentoring younger faculty and teaching at the medical school, where he was honored with multiple Excellence in Teaching Awards.

John was a person of immense intellectual curiosity, which he maintained until his final days. His was a restless mind and his thoughts ran from the deepest inner workings of life itself to the expanse of the universe. His abilities as a storyteller were legendary, and those stories often revolved around a well-orchestrated prank. An avid outdoorsman and nature lover, he spent a lifetime working to protect the natural beauty around us. He also relished a good meal, especially when paired with a fine wine and shared in the company of good friends. Other passions included music and fine art.

John’s bright blue eyes and broad smile could simply light up a room. His genuine caring for those around him extended well beyond his immediate family; “generous” truly falls short of describing the impact he had on so many.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations may be sent to one of his favorite charities: WXXI, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, or the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY.

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