GRANITEVILLE – John Francis O’Hara, 59, of the Graniteville Road, who had several relatives who work at or have retired from National Life, passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at his home.
Born on June 20, 1957 in Barre, he was the son of Francis and Margaret (Fontana) O’Hara. He attended the Holy Ghost Convent and Williamstown Schools and graduated from Williamstown High School in 1975. He went on to attend Champlain College in Burlington and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice.
On October 15, 1983, John married Diane Allen Page in the Barre Universalist Church. After their marriage, they made their home in Graniteville.
In earlier years, John was a police officer for the Hardwick Police Department and he worked in maintenance at the Heaton House in Montpelier and at the Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin. He also worked for the Adams Granite Company and Rock of Ages Granite Company as a polisher, for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in Waterbury, and presently for Cabot Creamery.
John was a member of St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Graniteville where he had served on the parish council.
John loved sports and coached his sons youth soccer and baseball teams. He loved people. With a handshake, his charm and his “”gift of gab””, he would take the time to get to know anyone.
He was an avid New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox fan. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time at his camp on Seymour Lake, riding his motorcycle, and vegetable gardening.
He is survived by his wife, Diane O’Hara; his sons, Christopher O’Hara and Ryan O’Hara; his mother, Margaret O’Hara; two brothers, Jeffrey O’Hara and his wife, Ellen, and Mark O’Hara and his wife, Flora, all of Graniteville; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Rogers and her husband, Scott, of Lebanon, NH and Janet Sallotti Page of Rutland. He also leaves five nephews, Kevin O’Hara of Williston, Matthew O’Hara of Graniteville, Travis O’Hara of Woodbury, and Clifton Rogers and Joseph Rogers of Lebanon, NH; two nieces, Megan Price and Anna Rogers both of Lebanon, NH; as well as his great-nephews.
His father, Francis O’Hara and a nephew, Daniel O’Hara predeceased him.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Graniteville. Entombment will be in the Hooker and Whitcomb vault to await later burial in St. Sylvester Cemetery in Websterville. Family and friends may call at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Special Olympics, 16 Gregory Drive, Suite 2, South Burlington, VT 05403. For a memorial guestbook, visit www.hookerwhitcomb.com