Mr. Terence Patrick O'Hara

It is with sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dad, Terence Patrick O'Hara. He is survived by: his two sons, James (La Rue) and Shawn, 4 grandchildren, Matthew, Michael, Paul and Kara, 1 brother Mickey O'Hara of Quesnel, two sisters Patsy (Ron) Porter of Abbotsford and Maureen (Don) Isaak of Quesnel, many nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was predeceased by his father Gerald, mother Olive (Roegele), brother Dennis and nephew Mike (Porter). A Funeral Mass will take place Friday, November 6 at 3:00 pm at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, 33333 Mayfair Avenue, Abbotsford, British Columbia. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to Abbotsford Right to Life, Box 8000 – 518 Abbotsford, British Columbia, V2S 6H1.

Arrangements under the direction of Henderson's Fraser Valley Funeral Home, Abbotsford, BC.

This is a sad day for all of us. We have lost such a great person. On behalf of all the family I would like to thank all of you, family and friends for your prayers and support and for coming today to celebrate the life of Terry. He was my older brother and I have volunteered to do this eulogy for the family, especially for his two sons James and Shawn.

My name is Patsy Porter and I was so blessed to have come along 6 years and two more brothers after Terry. He was my comic, super hero brother as soon as I recognized his infectious smile, felt his strong arms lifting me, and could giggle at his crazy antics.

My purpose today is to give you the background of his life, a little of my perspective and then hand the mike over to family and friends who want to add their own special memories.

Terry entered this life as the first born child of Gerry and Olive O'Hara in Sask. Sask. in 1935. His brother Mickey joined the family in 37 and Denny in 38. The hard times of the depression era drove our dad out west where he found work and sent for the family. My sister and I were born in Vancouver and we lived there until the war was over and we moved to Penticton.
Those of you who really knew Terry can probably imagine what an awesome brother he was. I idolized him. He was kind, gentle, protective, dignified, respectful and could make me laugh at the drop of a hat. He was a great help to my mother who had five children in less than 8 years.

He eventually attended Vancouver College where he graduated and earned a football scholarship to a Washington state university. My big brother told me it wasn't what he thought it would be so he returned home. He worked for a roofing company for a few years until his dad got the wanderlust with the excuse that he needed to move to get his three boys good jobs. Dad and the boys went ahead to Quesnel and mom and Maureen and I joined them in 1956.

Terry started in the plywood mill and worked there for years until he took over the management of the local Greyhound Bus Depot. He had a great time living in Quesnel as a young single man and because of his friendly, fun loving personality he made many lasting friendships. He moved to Vancouver in 1963 following other Quesnel young men looking for the action at the coast. He worked for a time with a sign painting company until he joined the Vancouver Police Department in 1966 and began a long career as a Custodial Guard in the city jail. He liked his fellow workers and was a fun loving character, had a great sense of humour, and made it his duty to keep an eye on all the nurses working in the jail. The Peanut Butter cookies he made were so good they ordered him to make them right in the jail on his shift at least once a week.

In 1967 he met a young woman, Rita Flynn, on a visit home to Quesnel who would soon lead him down the aisle and soon give him two sons, James and Shawn, the light and loves of his life.

In 1975 Terry was left to raise the boys alone. Their mother told Terry that he would make a far better father than she would a mother. And what a father he proved to be!!!

Terry's boys grew up, and went on to bless him with 4 wonderful grandchildren that are the joy of his life and he visited them all in Texas as often as he could.

We started a Memorial Site on line at MeM.com and already some of you have added your special remembrances. I could stand up here and reminisce and go on and on telling you so much about Terry and his character, and who he was to us. But to sum it up concisely in the words of very good friends of Terry's, I have been given permission to read what Susie, Jim, Keely and Cole shared with us.

This is so true of my brother and I Quote.

"We have many thoughts that come to mind when we think of Terry... he was a wonderful friend to us, and it was easy to love him. When we think of Terry, we think of peanut butter 'anything', rabbits 'anything', and Linda Ronstadt 'everything'! He was always up on the newest musical hits, and wow, could that guy draw & design! Terry was a great listener as well, and we never ran out of things to talk about...the visits never seemed to be long enough. It was easy to be around Terry and He always would have a funny story to share with us when we'd visit. We will miss your big smile & contagious laughter Terry, and will treasure the memory of your friendship always.

'til we meet again. Thankyou for that Jim and Susie.

I couldn't get to sleep the night I learned that Terry had died. I was wishing that I had been there for him. I couldn't stop the overwhelming feeling of longing to be with him to say goodbye. After crying and crying I finally went to him in spirit, in my mind, to sit and comfort him at his moment of truth. At last I experienced a feeling of peaceful closure and then it was like Jesus was saying well that's all well and good that you now think you were there to comfort Terry, however, I was right there with him to take his hand and lead him to the mansion I have prepared. And when our moment arrives, Jesus promises to be there for each one of us who can call on my name and wish to be with him for life eternal.