O'Hara, John
August 20, 2013
The funeral takes place in Tourlestrane today Tuesday of 43 year old local man John O'Hara who died suddenly in New York. The father of five children aged four to nine, including seven -year-old twins, collapsed last week from a suspected heart attack.
The Cloongoonagh native and former Tourlestrane GAA Club player had emigrated to New York 20 years ago. The news stunned the local community of Tourlestrane and Kilmactigue. His younger brother Francis said: "He was my bigger brother. He was a brilliant brother, brilliant son, brilliant dad and brilliant husband. He had the biggest heart you could find and he was loved by all."
John's aunt, Breege Leonard, of Curry, remembered him as "a tall, very well built lad with a heart of gold." She added: "He got involved in most things. He was a great man for charity, a lovely lad. Our hearts are broken."
Local councillor Jerry Lundy, who knew John said: "It's such a shock. He was a lovely fellow."
Clr Lundy said: "He was a very pleasant man to meet. He always kept in touch with home. He was a great supporter of Tourlestrane football and Sligo football."
A minute's silence in John's memory was observed before the Tourlestrane versus Coolera game in Ballymote last Saturday. He has been living in Pearl River, New York, where he was a member of the Carpenters' Union and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
He was a past pupil of Banada Boys National School and Banada Abbey Secondary School.
John is survived by his parents, James and Kathleen, (nee Mullarkey, Cloonacool); brothers Francis and Paul; sisters Rosaleen and Catherine; his wife Alice (nee Kivlehan); and five children, twins Owen Austin and Shane (9); Ailish (5) and JP (4).
GAA County Board chairman Cyril Feehily and Tourlestrane club chairman Brendan Leonard extended their sympathy to the O'Hara and Kivlehan families.
John's remains were removed to St Attracta's Church, Tourlestrane, yesterday, Monday evening. A Tourlestrane jersey sat atop the coffin draped in the Tourlestrane and Sligo colours. In New York, John had been known for buying the Sligo colours any opportunity he got.
Tourlestrane club members formed a guard of honour. Following mass at noon today, Tuesday, burial will take place in Kilmactigue Cemetery.
Sligo Champion, August 20, 2013
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