Born in Ballylanders, County Limerick, Leahy began working for CIÉ in 1952, been transferred to Galway two years later.
With President of Ireland, Patrick Hillery, he formally opened the celebrations with the raising of the coats of arms of The Tribes of Galway at Eyre Square.
Eighteen Mayors from Ireland and abroad arrived in February, he conferred the Freedom of Galway twice, and welcome President Ronald Reagan to the city on 2 June 1984.
One of his first acts for his second term was to welcome Councillor Tony O'Donohue, who had served for twenty years on the City Council of Toronto; both men had shared accommodation in Galway in the 1950s, after which O'Donohue emigrated following his graduation from University College Galway.
He also hosted receptions for the Druid Theatre Company, Rita Ryan Gilligan, MBE and formally opened the pedestrianised streets of Galway on 3 March 1998.