Our Hero, John O'Hara

He Will Always Be Our Hero

By Kathleen Connell

Meeting and working alongside volunteers has been one of the great joys throughout my 20-plus years as AARP Rhode Island State Director. From time to time it also is cause for deep sorrow.

Such was the case recently with the passing of John O’Hara, a man of courage, gentle kindness and a long history of service. Any is loss hard to take. This one is special. You see, John was to turn 100 on March 20^th. We had anticipated a celebration for years, but due to COVID it became a Zoom event that drew fellow volunteer and AARP staff far and wide. We recorded a video on March 10 in time to present it John on his birthday. He died two days later.

We chose to go ahead with the birthday video. Click on the image below to watch it.

It is a privilege to share portions of John's obituary.

John Edward O’Hara, 99.9 years old, passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021 at his home in Narragansett.

John was born March 20, 1921 in Reddish, Stockport, England, the son of John O’Hara and Clara Worthington O’Hara. The family immigrated to America when John was 2 years old, moving to Riverside, Rhode Island before settling in North Providence. As a child, John lived through The Great Depression. He graduated La Salle Academy.

In 1942, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack leading to WWII. John bravely served in the three major theatres of WWII: the European Theatre, the Pacific Theatre, and the Mediterranean-African-Middle East Theatre. It was during “Operation Torch”, the invasion of North Africa, that he served with the Western Task Force (Battle of Casablanca) under commanders, Major General George S. Patton, and Rear Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt. On November 12, 1942 - while below deck on the USS Hugh L. Scott, a German submarine, U-130 torpedoed the ship, hitting the starboard side which burst into flames. Wounded and fighting for his life, John was able to get out before the ship floundered, awarding him a Purple Heart.

After recovery, John was assigned to the crew of the battleship USS Alabama through the end of the war. John served as Gun Captain of the 40 MM anti-aircraft guns, defending the ship and its crew.

During Johns’ military career he engaged in 13 major battles. In addition to the Purple Heart, he received 13 Battle Stars, two Silver and three Bronze Stars along with numerous other medals & ribbons. John ended his tour of duty in November of 1945.

In his senior years, John dedicated his time to touring the local schools of Rhode Island, New London County, Connecticut and Bristol County, Massachusetts delivering lectures to children and young adults on his experience during WWII.  Throughout this time, John was able to meet and have a positive impact on many wonderful young men & women before their journey into adulthood.     

After the war, John moved to NYC to work at The New York Journal-American daily newspaper. Before returning to Rhode Island, he was hired at the United States Postal service and enjoyed a 34-year career rising to the position of Postmaster before retiring.

In his addition to being an AARP Rhode Island volunteer, John was a member of numerous organizations including NARFE, Silver Hair Legislators, Seekonk School committee and was a Town Representative. 

AARP will always remember John O’Hara and all those who have passed our way. Volunteers make our mission possible. Many inspire the lives of every person they touch in their service and in their friendship.