Bernard Francis O'Hara

Bernard passed away February 12, 2021 at age 95. He was born on November 9, 1925 in Binghamton, New York.

He grew up on his parent's dairy farm in Vestal, New York, a few hundred yards up Rte 26 from Dorothy M. O'Hara née Kintner, whom he married on June 20, 1945. They had a wonderful 72-year marriage, eleven children, thirty-three grandchildren and twenty-eight great-grandchildren, so far.

Dr. O'Hara attended the University of Notre Dame beginning in June 1943. While there he was enlisted in the Navy V-12 program. He was a trumpet player in the marching band and formed a life-long love for everything Notre Dame. Because of World War II and because he was pursuing medicine, he was required to attend college year-round.

In the fall of 1945 at age 19, he began medical school at St. Louis University, from which he graduated in 1949, at age 23. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1949 and served on active duty until 1954. He was honorably discharged in 1954, having achieved the rank of Captain. He served in the Army Reserves until his honorable discharge in 1956.

Dr. O'Hara settled his family in West Palm Beach and began his solo practice of pediatric medicine. He joined the Palm Beach Medical Group from 1955 to 1961, at which time he formed a practice with Dr. David Martin. In 1964 he was a founding partner of Infants and Children, P.A., from which he retired in 1986. He continued practicing until 1995, leading a pediatric group dedicated to public medicine, serving the underprivileged.

Dr. O'Hara loved the practice of pediatrics, and the patients and families he met and cared for over the years. Throughout his career he and his partners provided pediatric care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. They considered this a duty and a privilege.

Dr. O'Hara served in the following positions: Chief of Pediatrics at St. Mary's Hospital from 1963 to 1968 and 1983 to 1994; Chief of Staff at St. Mary's Hospital from 1968 to 1980; President of the Florida Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics 1972 to 1973; Hospital Board of St. Mary's; Hospital Board after St. Mary's merged with Good Samaritan, for approximately ten years prior to the sale of the hospitals.

Dr. O'Hara was constantly surrounded by his children and family, his favorite thing in the world. When they were together, laughter was a constant.

Bernie is survived by his children Jane Wright (Chris, deceased), Joyce Henninger (Steve), Bernard F. O'Hara, Jr. (Nora), Thomas J. O'Hara (Virginia), Patrick M. O'Hara (Peggy), Mary C. Sutton (Robert), Paul K. O'Hara, Dorothy M. Martin, Nancy C. Dickey (Robert) and Stephen D. O'Hara (Paulina); his siblings Timothy O'Hara (Sheila Mae, deceased), Julie Bauer (Milton) and Michael O'Hara, M.D. (Judy); and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.

Bernie was predeceased by his loving wife, Dorothy, his daughter Kathleen A. Lumbra (Tom), his parents Vincent and Beatrice O'Hara, his siblings Vincent J. O'Hara, Jr. (Margie, deceased), Nan Jacobi (Robert, deceased), Mary Deveney (John, deceased), Ellen Geary (Francis, deceased), Jane O'Hara, Joyce Werner (William, deceased), and Joseph O'Hara.

Due to covid concerns, a Family-only Funeral Mass and interment service were held last week.

Bernie had many wonderful caregivers in his final years, including Eulyn Jervis, Sharon Dennis, Marguerita Suchram, and Patricia Brown, all of Redi Nurse. The family is thankful to them all, as well as to Trustbridge Hospice.