Fr. Eugene O'Hara OFM Cap.

The Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Mary mourn the death of their brother, Fr. Eugene O’Hara, O.F.M. Cap., who passed peacefully from this life on Monday morning, Aug. 26, 2024, in Yonkers, N.Y., at the age of eighty-nine.

Peter O’Hara was born in Manhattan on Jan. 27, 1935. He graduated from Glenclyffe High School Seminary in Garrison, N.Y., in 1953, and was invested as a novice in Milton, MA. on August 31 that same year. He made his perpetual profession of vows on Sept. 1, 1957. After studies at St. Anthony Friary in Hudson, N.H. and Mary Immaculate Friary in Garrison, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1961.

He began his ministerial career in 1962 at Sacred Heart Parish, Yonkers, as parochial assistant and religion teacher at the parish High School. Administration and education would be his apostolate for the next two decades, serving as prefect and professor at St. Mary Seminary in Garrison, then professor and guardian at St. Anthony in Hudson, then administrator at Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers.

A new chapter began in 1982 when Father Eugene became director of the Capuchin Mission Association at St. John the Baptist Friary in New York City. For 12 years he was a support for our friars serving in our international missions. This champion of our missionary brothers then himself became a missionary for two years, with one year in Guam and one year in Hawaii.

In 1996, Father Eugene came to St. Fidelis Friary in Interlaken, N.Y., and became pastor of St. James the Apostle Parish in Trumansburg, N.Y. Except for a two-year interlude at St. John XXIII Friary in Seminole, Fla. (2006-2008), he served the People of God in the Finger Lakes region for the next 17 years.

In 2013, Father Eugene retired from active ministry but continued to reside at St. Fidelis for six more years. He resided at St. Clare Friary, Yonkers, N.Y., from December 2019 until his death. He was pre-deceased by his parents Peter and Nora O’Donnell-O’Hara. He is survived by a sister, Ann Moss; a niece, Maureen Moss; and many friends and acquaintances.

The wake will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Clare Friary, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, N.Y. The funeral will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers. In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Province of St. Mary in memory of Fr. Eugene O’Hara in support of the continued good works of the Capuchin Franciscan friars. You can send your donations to the Capuchin Mission & Development Office, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.