2021 -- H 6186

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JOHN O’HARA

     Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, Filippi, McEntee, Blazejewski, Fogarty, Knight,
Cortvriend, C Lima, Fellela, and Solomon

     Date Introduced: March 30, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, John O’Hara of Narragansett, was born in Reddish, Stockport, England, the

son of John and Clara O’Hara. His family immigrated to the United States when he was two and

moved to Riverside, before settling in North Providence; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. O’Hara grew up during the difficult times of the Great Depression. He

graduated from La Salle Academy and shortly thereafter joined the Civilian Conservation Corps,

and helped to build roads at Burlingame State Park; and

     WHEREAS, In 1942, Mr. O’Hara enlisted in the United States Navy and served our

nation with honor and bravery. Altogether, he was involved in thirteen major battles before his

tour of duty ended, serving in the European, Pacific and Mediterranean theaters during World

War II. In recognition of his service, Mr. O’Hara was the recipient of the Purple Heart, thirteen

Battle Stars, two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars along with numerous other medals and

ribbons; and

     WHEREAS, John O’Hara earned his Purple Heart while serving aboard the USS Hugh L.

Scott, when a German submarine torpedoed the ship. He was seriously wounded and had to fight

hard to escape the ship and its flames before it sank. All of his crewmates perished. While

recovering, he was assigned to the battleship USS Alabama, where he served as a Gun Captain

until the end of the war. He and his shipmates bravely fought kamikazes off the Japanese home

Island of Kyushu and had the high honor of leading the United States Fleet into Tokyo Bay after

the formal surrender of the Japanese; and

     WHEREAS, In further recognition of Mr. O’Hara’s heroic service during World War II,

he was an honoree at the National WWII Memorial in Washington D.C., the National WWII

Museum in New Orleans, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, the USS Alabama Battleship

Memorial, and the USS Arizona Memorial. He appeared in three World War II documentaries, a

Japanese documentary on Okinawa, and his war memoirs and poems are registered at the Navy

College Library in Newport; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. O’Hara was a multi-talented person who was a professional

photographer for more than fifty years, and the author of two books of poems. After the war, he

moved to New York City to work at the New York Journal-American daily newspaper. He later

returned to Rhode Island where he accepted a position with the United States Postal Service. He

served for 34 years and rose to the position of Postmaster before he retired. He also had the high

honor of meeting with President Kennedy in 1961 to discuss a United States Postal Bill, a

meeting that was captured in a photograph; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. O’Hara was a beloved figure within the community and was always

active in civic affairs. He and his wife Shirley raised their family in Seekonk, and Mr. O’Hara

served on numerous Seekonk Boards and Commissions. He was a member of the AARP, Silver

Haired Legislators and the Gazzero-VFW Post 2812 in Cranston. In his later years, he devoted

much of his time visiting schools in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, talking to

children and young adults about his experiences in World War II. He was also a communicant of

Saint Peters by the Sea Episcopal Church in Narragansett; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. O’Hara leaves behind his six sons, Michael and his wife, Deane, Wayne

and his wife, Grace, Brian and his wife, Judith , Brett, Dale and his wife, Sherri, and Jason. He

was the brother of six siblings, the late Robert O’Hara and his wife, Brenda, his sister the late

Irene Foster, and the late Mary, Marjorie, William, and George. He also leaves behind sixteen

grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, fourteen nieces and nephews, and many cousins from

the United States, England and Australia; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. John O’Hara leaves behind an enduring legacy of heroic service to our

nation, of being a devoted and loving son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, and

of distinguished public service that bettered our communities; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of John O’Hara and hopes his lifetime of service

to our nation and local communities is long-remembered by future generations; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Michael O’Hara, Wayne O’Hara, Brian

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      O’Hara, Brett O’Hara, Dale O’Hara and Jason O’Hara.

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