Rev. Frank Joseph O'Hara

Rev. Frank Joseph O’Hara, 90, formerly of Springfield, died on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at Brighton Gardens in Orland Park after ninety years of devoted service to his two great loves: his family and the Catholic Church. Frank was born on February 19, 1916 in Chicago, the son of Frank J. and Mary Jane McGuire O’Hara. Frank was raised in Chicago and he attended elementary school at both St. Bernard’s and St. Sabina’s Catholic Schools before beginning his discernment at Quigley Preparatory Seminary High School. He graduated from both St. Louis Prepatory Seminary School and Kenrick Seminary School in St. Louis. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Griffin at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield on March 30, 1941. Rev. O’Hara served at many parishes throughout the Diocese of Springfield, including the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St. Denis, St. Kevin and Ss. Peter and Paul. During his tenure as a priest, he baptized and married all four of his nieces and nephews and baptized all thirteen of their children. While pastor at Ss. Peter and Paul, he served as Chaplain at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield from 1985 to October 26, 2001 when he resigned as parochial administrator and was assigned to “retired priest” status. Towards the end of his life, he moved to Orland Park, IL to be closer to his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Joseph Sullivan. He is survived by one sister: Mary Lorrayne Sullivan of Orland Park; two nieces Maureen (husband, Ed) Burke and Denise (husband, Michael) Huguelet of Orland Park and two nephews: Joseph (wife, Mary Ellen) Sullivan and Kevin (wife, Jackie) Sullivan of Orland Park; thirteen great nieces and nephews; twelve grand nieces and nephews and many loyal friends and parishioners. Family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Prayer will begin at 4:00 p.m., with Msgr. John R. Ossola offciating. Concelebrated Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 24, 2006 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with Most Reverend George J. Lucas principal celebrant and priests of the dioceses as concelebrants. Additional visitation time will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25th at St. Francis of Assisi, 15050 S. Wolf Rd., Orland Park, IL, with Fr. Ed Upton celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Chicago. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to: St. Martin De Porres Center, Food Donations Only, 1725 South Grand Ave. East, Springfield, IL 62703; Misericordia, 6300 N. Ridge St., Chicago, IL 60660 or Palos Hospice, 15295 E. 127th St., Lemont, IL 60439. The family of Rev. Frank O’ Hara is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. in Springfield and by John Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, W, 127th St., Palos Heights, IL 60463.