Death Notice: Reverend Father John Brendan O’Hare

Reverend Father John Brendan O’Hare or Brendan as most knew him, died July 3, 2014 at his home in Apopka, FL. He was born September 24, 1929 to Dennis O’Hare and Rita Twohig O’Hare in Millstreet, County Cork, Ireland. The O’Hare family had seven boys and Fr. O’Hare was the youngest of the seven.

He is preceded in death by his parents Dennis and Rita O’Hare and 5 of his brothers, Thomas, Jerome, Victor, Dennis, and Edward. He is survived by his older brother, The Reverend Father Donal O’Hare, and nieces and nephews in his homeland of Ireland, some of which are making the long journey across the ocean to celebrate his life with us. He is also survived by the children of the now deceased Stella M. Creamer, longtime friend for more than fifty years, Richard A. Creamer, Mark S. Creamer and Shawn Marie Creamer-Clark and their families. The Creamer children considered Fr. O’Hare as their adoptive uncle. Shawn Creamer-Clark, her husband Scott Clark and their family became caretakers for Father who was living with them until his passing on July 3, 2014.

Father graduated from All Hollow Seminary in Ireland. He recently celebrated his 61st anniversary of joining the Priesthood on June 21, 1953. Upon his graduation he voyaged across the sea to serve the Catholic Church in state of Florida where he was to remain for the rest of his life. Fr. O’Hare became a United States Citizen on July 4, 1976, on the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A very huge day in our country and for Father. I am only sorry that he could not celebrate that day of honor this year.

Fr. O’Hare is best known for his dedication to the Catholic Church throughout the state of Florida from the first time he landed on the shores of this beautiful state. He was assigned to the Diocese of St. Augustine and then later the Diocese of Orlando where he flourished and spread the teachings and the Gospel of Our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ. His many accomplishments during his time in the Priesthood include, Pastor of St. Teresa Avila, Titusville, FL and bringing the Sisters of Mercy from Ireland in 1962 to teach the children of Titusville and the Space Coast. Fr. O’Hare served as State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus for many years. In 1969 he became the Pastor of St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach, FL where he served until 1976. During this time he was appointed Comptroller for the Diocese of Orlando by Bishop Thomas Grady a position he held until 1981. He loved the City of Vero Beach so much that he asked to return. He was appointed founding Pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church by Bishop Grady in 1981 where he served the parish for over 16 years. Fr. O’Hare was instrumental in the building of the beautiful church, rectory and parish center, with the most generous help and dedication of the parishioners of Holy Cross. When the Diocese of Orlando was divided once again, Fr. O’Hare was called upon by the Bishop to serve the new Diocese of Palm Beach as its Administrator. He retired from Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, FL July 1, 1997. Upon his retirement, Fr. O’Hare moved back to the Orlando area where he lived out the rest of his life in peace and relaxation.

The Celebration of his Life will begin on Monday, July 14th at 12 noon with his body being received at Holy Cross Catholic Church, he will lie in repose until 7:00 p.m. A Prayer Vigil will take place at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach. Interment will take place 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2014 in Glen Haven Memorial Park, 2300 Temple Drive, Winter Park, FL.

This article is from the Strunk Funeral Home & Crematory

==============

(mentioned above:)

CREAMER, STELLA M. of Orlando, passed away January 2, 2011. She was born November 10, 1933 in Baltimore, MD. She is survived by her children, Linda McLeroy, Barbara Parsons, Richard Creamer, Mark Creamer, and Shawn Clark; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren. A visitation will be held Friday, January 7, 2011 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Baldwin Fairchild Winter Garden Chapel. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church with burial following at Glen Haven Memorial Park. Reception shall follow after burial at Stella’s home. — [Orlando Sentinel on Jan. 5, 2011] [a]