John Stratton O'Leary was born in Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland in the year 1865. He arrived in this country as a 14 year old in the year 1879. He became one of "Teddy's Boys" when he was appointed to the New York Police Department by Theodore Roosevelt in 1895 , and was eventually assigned to the old 36th Precinct.

He left the police department to enter the building industry, forming the Glengariff Construction Company. It was this company that would build all the buildings that were to become the heart of the community that would be name after him (his middle name), Stratton Park. Construction started around December of 1926 and lasted until September, 1930. He had a few other companies also involved is the area, O'Leary Estates Inc. and the Ardea Realty Corp.

As for his personal life, in 1905 he married an New York born girl by the name of Sarah Donohue. She was the daughter of Jeffrey and Mary Kelly Donohue. She was also a cousin of Big Tim Sullivan, the East Side Democratic leader and a big wig in Tammany Hall. John O'Leary was very active in the community. He had been president of the Bronx Eye and Ear Hospital as well as the Bronx Grand Jurors Association. He was vice president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Roman Catholic Archdiocesan Holy Name Union. He was an executive member of the Bronx Board of Trade. He was also a member of the Rotary and Bunker Hill Clubs, the Elks and Knights of Columbus. He was also vice president of the Alliance of Bronx Taxpayers.

John O'Leary never forgot his Irish roots, he was very involved in many Irish - American organizations. He was National Vice President of the American Irish Historical Society - to which he donated very generously, giving at different time money for a passenger elevator and $10,000. for the start of a library. He was a founder of the Friends of Irish Freedom, a former president of the Friendly Sons of Erin, a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick as well as the Clan-na-Gael.

He was also appointed by Mayor O'Brien to the board of the Triborough Bridge Authority, the forerunner of today's MTA. He served until Robert Moses took over the authority, at which time he resigned.

He was known as a kind and generous man, and a good landlord too. His buildings opened at a bad time - the great depression. Still he was know not to pressure his tenants if they were a little late with the rent.