Leo came to Kildysart Vocational School in September 1979 as a science teacher. In 1981 he was seconded to the Crawford Institute in Cork where he was an assistant lecturer in the training of Vocational School Science teachers.

In 1984 he returned to Kildysart Vocational School and was subsequently transferred to Ennis Community College for ten years until 1996. In 1996 he returned to teach in Kildysart Vocational School, which was later amalgamated into the new St. John Bosco Community College in 1999. He retired from teaching in 2018.

Throughout his teaching career Leo actively promoted student entries into the annual Young Scientist competition. This meant that he worked with students throughout most of his Christmas holidays preparing the projects. He also actively trained and managed boys and girls school teams during the same period. Leo introduced rugby and hurling to the school.

Leo and family moved from Boston, Tubber to live in Ennis Road Kildysart in 2006.

During his time living in Kildysart Leo was an active supporter of Kildysart GAA and was assistant manager of the Kildysart Junior B team, known as the Killer Bees, alongside his great friend Gerard "Sparky" Finucane R.I.P. until 2015.

Leo always went above and beyond to give help to anyone who needed it, academic or otherwise. He will be remembered as a dedicated, enthusiastic and energetic person.