Northampton, MA – Peter J. Leahy, known to all as Scoop, died July 26, 2026 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA, of end stage complications from Parkinson’s Disease; both of his children were with him when he passed.
Scoop was born in South Boston to Mary and John Leahy, the middle of three sons, and raised in Arlington, MA. After college in Boston, he graduated from Rutgers University Law School and went on to have a 45-year career independently beating his own drum as a criminal defense attorney in New Hampshire. Later in life, he married fellow attorney Linda Sullivan, who he had met years earlier at the beginning of his career, and the two practiced law together for a decade.
With his first wife, Donna Gatnarek, Scoop raised his two kids in Bow. He played saxophone and flute in various area bands and rarely missed Friday night margaritas at Tio Juan’s. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, and bird watching in the depths of northern New England’s wilderness, cheering on his beloved Boston Bruins, and a classic Irish whiskey on the rocks.
Scoop’s retirement was spent with Linda: first in South Carolina where he treasured spending time with Linda’s daughter, Maggie Sullivan, and taking regular walks on the beach; and then in Louisville, Kentucky, where he cherished being close to his daughter and Linda’s grandsons, and became a tai chi aficionado. After Linda passed, Scoop returned to his native Massachusetts to enjoy the beauty of New England again and especially the proximity to his two young grandchildren; watching them play hockey was a particular joy of his final months.
After his parents and his dear brother Gerard Leahy, Scoop was predeceased by his wife Linda just nine months ago. He is survived by his daughter, Heather Gatnarek and partner Josh Jennings of Louisville, KY; his son Sean Leahy and wife Audra Winn of Northampton, MA; loving brother Paul Leahy and Anne of Arlington, MA; his grandchildren Esme and Cyrus Leahy, and Emerson Jennings; his nieces and nephews in eastern MA; and his fat cat Big Boy Boo, the latest in a long line of pets that Scoop loved over his lifetime.
Per Scoop’s wishes, at a later date his ashes will be spread in his daylily garden with family present and jazz music playing.
The family extends sincere thanks to the staff and residents at the Lathrop Home of Northampton for making Scoop’s last two months so enjoyable and comfortable.
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