Obituary of John Joseph O'Hara

John J. O'Hara of Wilkes-Barre passed away December 2, 2014 at Celtic Healthcare Hospice Inpatient Unit at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. He was born in Wilkes-Barre on July 22, 1937, the son of the late John and Sadie Burns O'Hara. Jack is a graduate of St. Mary's High School and served in the United States Navy assigned to the Naval Intelligence Office, Washington DC. Jack retired from the Wilkes-Barre Area School District where he was employed as a custodian. He is a member of St. Benedict's Parish, Parsons. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. John Neumann Division 2, Wilkes-Barre. Jack enjoyed the company of his friends at the PAV, Italian Club and the Catholic War Vets as well as fishing with his friend, Tommy Dixon. He is preceded in death by his wife Ann Marie (Kology), infant daughter Ann and brother Joseph. Surviving is daughters Sharon Monie and husband Thomas of Plains; Tracie Thorsen and husband John of Lancaster; Kellie Knesis and husband Justin J. of Wilkes-Barre; and son John J. O'Hara and wife Amy (Delikat) of Matthews, NC. Jack leaves behind five grandchildren: Sarah Monie, Victoria, Katherine and John Thorsen, and Quinlan and Chyanne O'Hara. He is also survived by brothers Gerald and Thomas and sister Maureen Lavelle. The family would like to extend a thank you to the staff and physicians at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Celtic Hospice Wilkes-Barre and Little Flower Manor for their tender loving care of Jack. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 9:30AM from Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., 55 Stark Street, Plains, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM at St. Benedict's Parish, 155 Austin Ave., in the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre celebrated by Rev. Joseph Kearney. Friends may call Friday from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at Yanaitis Funeral Home, 55 Stark Street, Plains. Interment will be in St. Mary's cemetery, Wilkes-Barre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Benedicts Parish, 155 Austin Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, Pa, 18705 .