Obituaries

Obituary: David O'Hara

Mr. O'Hara was a longtime Associated Press editor and sports writer, known for his coverage of the Boston Red Sox.

 

(Lehman Reen & McNamara Funeral Home Brighton)

David O'Hara of Brighton and Winter Haven, FL  died at his Florida home after a battle with cancer on April 10, 2013.  He was the loving husband to Julia “Cis” (Hufnagle) O’Hara for 43 years before her passing in 1995, also the father of David, Jr. and his wife, Donna of Canton, Stephen and his wife, Susan of Ft. Myers, FL; Deborah O’Hara Rusckowski and her husband, Steve Rusckowski of Andover. He was the proud grandfather of Michelle and John O‘Hara, Tim and Christie O’Hara, and Lauren and Joe Rusckowski.

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He leaves his long-time companion, Sue Ezell of Winter Haven, and his sister Ethel “Babe” O’Neil and her husband, Joe, both of Winter Haven and New Hampshire. 

Dave retired in 1992 after an incredible 50 year career as sports writer and editor with the Associated Press. The Coconut Grove fire in 1942, along with the Harvard commencement speech outlining the Marshall Plan both jumpstarted his career. His career spanned coverage for news events like the famous Brinks Robbery in 1950, political campaigns, including traveling with John F. Kennedy in Wisconsin in 1960, and sports.

Although primarily based in Boston, one assignment required a move to Milwaukee for seven years where he loved covering the Braves and the Packers. Sports would ultimately be his primary focus with the AP, with a special love for Boston sports. Although he covered all sports including basketball, football, hockey, boxing, golf and tennis -- baseball was his true passion.

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He particularly loved covering Red Sox spring training in Winter Haven, Fl. for 25-plus years. Dave often reminisced of his days covering Aaron to Spahn to Williams to Yaz, including 12 no-hitters and 2 perfect games. 

Dave had a special relationship with the sports celebrities he wrote about, always respecting their privacy and earning their confidence. He was surprised and humbled to be the only sports writer invited to the tribute for Ted Williams at Fenway Park. The Dave O’Hara Award for excellence in journalism, begun in 1993 by the Boston Baseball Writer Association, was a great honor bestowed on him by his peers. 

Dave was also a very proud veteran of the Korean War and a longtime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also loved his many friends, and being a member of, the Brighton Elks Lodge# 2199. Dave was a generous donor to the New England Sports Museum of the many memorabilia he collected throughout the years. The sports world has lost a legend, and others have lost a good man and fun-loving friend.   

The funeral was  from the Lehman Reen & McNamara Funeral Home Saturday April 13 and Funeral Mass was at iSt. Columbkille Church 321 Market Street Brighton. Interment will be in Massachusetts National Cemetery Monday at 11 am. 


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