Rev. Michael R. O'Hara, O.M.I.

Missionary Oblate Priest for 48 years

Father Michael R. O’Hara, OMI, son of the late Robert V. and Mary Ellen (Aungier) O’Hara died on September 22, 2024, after a six-year battle with prostate cancer. 

Father O’Hara was born in Bangor, Maine and grew up with his six sisters and four brothers in Syracuse, New York. He professed his First Vows at the Oblate Novitiate in Godfrey, Illinois on August 1st, 1969. He was ordained a priest with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on May 15th, 1976, at the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Father Mike began his ministry as a teacher at Cardinal Newman High School (West Palm Beach, FL) and Chaplain for the West Palm Beach Police Department. Most of his priestly ministry was spent in prison chaplaincy in Pennsylvania and New York, eventually retiring from the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 2012. He also served as the Pastor or Chaplain of several parishes; Holy Redeemer Parish (Liberty City-Miami, FL), St. Patrick’s Parish (Lowell, MA), Soldier’s Home (Chelsea, MA), Our Lady of Good Counsel (New York, NY), and St. Mary’s Parish (Georgetown, MA).

Father Mike was an active member of the Red Cross and had membership in the Gallon Club of NYC and was also a participant in the Platelet Donor Club. He was the Patriarch of a 90-member family which included brothers and sisters; nephews and nieces; and grandnephews and grandnieces. He was very pleased that he had a connection with all of them and was very proud of each one of them.

Father O’Hara was predeceased by his sisters; Colleen, Mary-Margaret and Maureen. He is survived by his siblings, Joseph (Ann) O’Hara of Syracuse, NY; Kathleen (Neil Falcone) O’Hara of Syracuse, NY; Eileen Tickner of Syracuse, NY; Robert O’Hara of San Antonio, TX; Sheila (Chip) Coughlin of Syracuse, NY; Teresa (Mark) Powell of Middletown, RI; Dan (Monique) O’Hara of Baldwinsville, NY; Donna (Todd) Powell of Portsmouth, RI; and Kevin (Dawn) O’Hara of Syracuse, NY. He will also be missed by the residents and staff at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence, and his many Oblate brothers.

Friends and family are invited to Fr. O’Hara’s Visitation at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA on Thursday, September 26th, from 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm. Evening Prayer will be at 7:30pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 27th in the Chapel. 

On Monday, September 30th a Prayer Service will be held at 10:00am at the Whelan Brothers & Hulchanski Funeral Home, 5854 Belle Isle Road, Syracuse, New York followed by a private burial. A Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 1st at 10:00am at the Most Holy Rosary Church, 111 Roberts Avenue, Syracuse, New York. To watch Fr. O'Hara's Funeral Mass on Friday, please follow https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a24094034914297

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Oblate Infirmary, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA in his memory.