Obituary of Charles F O'Hara

LITTLE FALLS, NY - Charles F. O'Hara of Little Falls, New York and Port Richey, Florida passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2014, at his home in Port Richey, at the age of 81 after a prolonged battle with Parkinson's Disease. Known as Charlie to his friends and family, and Bubba to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was born May 21, 1933 in Herkimer, New York, son of the late Francis L. O'Hara and Marion (Halpin) O'Hara. He was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy (Little Falls, NY) Class of 1951. He was married to Barbara A. Beattie on January 12, 1952 at St. Mary's Church Parish House, and together celebrated their sixty-second anniversary this past winter. Charlie spent his forty six year career in the Industrial Packaging Industry in manufacturing, marketing, and sales management positions with American Can Company and its successors. He retired as Northeast Regional Sales Manager for Fort James Corporation in 1998. Charlie and Barbara moved back to their home town of Little Falls where they retired and split their time between Little Falls and Port Richey, Florida. In his youth, Charlie was very active in the local and county 4-H clubs, showing Holstein cattle and later was a member of the Herkimer County Judging Team. While living in Carmel, Indiana, Charlie was active in the US Jaycees and was named Indiana's Outstanding Local President in 1964. He was President of his local chapter and served as State Secretary and State Parliamentarian before moving to Michigan. After the birth of Cathy, a daughter with special needs, Charlie became active in organizations for people with disabilities as a founding member of the New Dawn Association for the Retarded, Inc. in Oakland, Michigan. He served as the organization's first President before moving to Connecticut, and continued his commitment to this cause by serving as Treasurer of STAR , Inc. and as President of STAR Residential Services, both in Norwalk, Connecticut. After moving with his family to Wilton, Connecticut in 1967, Charlie's interest in youth sports led him to become a very active volunteer with Little League Baseball and Pop Warner Football. Charlie was a coach and board member with Wilton Little League for many years. He also served as President and General Manager of Wilton Pop Warner Association. In addition, he served as President of the Connecticut Candlewood Valley 12 Town Pop Warner League and was a founding member and President of the Wilton High School Football Association. Charlie is survived by his wife Barbara and five children: Lynn (O'Hara) Morin and husband Andrew of Wilton, Robert J. O’Hara and wife Teresa of Wilton, Lori (O’Hara) Perkins and husband John of Richmond, TX, Charles F. O’Hara, Jr. and wife Kristin of Hollis, NH, and Catherine A. O’Hara of Norwalk, CT. Charlie is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Amy (Morin) Mitchell and husband Jason, Christopher Morin, Erin (O’Hara) Adams and husband Cyrus, Kelly O’Hara, Caitlin Perkins, Emily Perkins, Sarah Perkins, Katherine O’Hara, Marion O’Hara and Jillian O’Hara, and great-grandchildren: Caoilfhionn Mitchell, Taidhgin Mitchell and Aoibheann Mitchell and his sister Patricia (O’Hara) Peckay of Little Falls. Calling hours will be at the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls, NY on Sunday, November 9, 2014 from 3-6pm. Father Mark Reilly will officiate over a Memorial Mass on Monday, November 10, 2014 at 11am at Holy Family Parish, 763 E. Main Street, Little Falls, NY. Interment will immediately follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Route 5, Herkimer, NY. Friends and family are invited to come together at a luncheon following the services at the Knights Inn, 20 Albany Street, Little Falls from 12:30-3pm. Arrangements are by Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls, NY Friends and family are asked to submit online remembrances at www.chapmanmoser.com In lieu of flowers, Charlie’s memory may be honored by a contribution in his name to one of these organizations: *STAR, Inc. - Residential Services, 182 Wolfpit Ave., Norwalk, CT 06851; http://www.starct.org *Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Disease Research - http://www.michaeljfox.org or by phone: 1-800-708-7644