CRANSTON — Deacon Thomas P. O’Hara, 88, died on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at The Cedars in Cranston. He was the husband of Louise A. (Gillooly) O’Hara. They were married for 62 years.
Born at home in Providence, a son of the late Patrick and Ellen (O’Connell) O’Hara, he lived in Cranston for 49 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, and attended the University of Rhode Island.
Deacon O’Hara was employed as a quality control analyst at the Foxboro Co. in Foxboro, Massachusetts, for 17 years, retiring in 1992. He previously worked at Nicholson File Co. in the sales and advertising department.
In 1979, he completed his studies at Our Lady of Providence Seminary and was ordained a permanent deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Providence. He ministered at the Eleanor Slater Hospital and the Institute of Mental Health in Cranston, and was involved with nursing home ministry. He was also an assistant to several pastors at St. William Church in Warwick.
Deacon O’Hara was a member of the Cranston Rhode Runners, and completed three marathons and many shorter races to raise money for a great many causes. He volunteered at the Boston Marathon at the finish line for 10 years. He was a coach for CLCF in Cranston, and a manager for the Babe Ruth League.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his loving children and their spouses of whom he was exceedingly proud: Brian P. O’Hara and his wife Karen of Scituate; Michael K. O’Hara and his wife Brendalee of Tiverton; Daniel F. O’Hara and his wife Sandra of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, and Patricia E. Brunner of Boston. He also leaves two sisters, Ann Turbitt of Lady Lake, Florida, and Ellen Sherman of North Scituate; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Katie, Thomas, Megan, Shannon, Kathleen, and Patrick; and a great-granddaughter, Evangeline. He was the brother of the late Mary Bolton, John, Michael, James, and Leo O’Hara.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, Nov. 22, in St. Timothy Church, Warwick with burial with military honors was in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to McAuley Ministries, P.O. Box 73195, Providence, RI 02907 or the Little Sisters of the Poor, Development Office, 964 Main St., Pawtucket, R.I. 02864.
