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Terrance O'Hara Obituary

Terrance George O'Hara
June 26, 1942 ~ March 31, 2009

MONTEREY - Terry O'Hara was born June 26, 1942 in New York City. He graduated from Iona Preparatory School for Boys in New Rochelle, New York in 1960 and Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana, with honors in English in 1964, where he was a member of the rugby team. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in the summer of 1964. In March, 1965 Mr. O'Hara graduated with honors from The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia and was then deployed to Vietnam. In February, 1966 Mr. O'Hara was seriously wounded in the Quang Nam Province in the District of Dai Loc, Vietnam and evacuated to San Diego, California, where he began a long recovery. Later in 1966, he moved to New York City, where he was an executive with Grey Advertising Company. In 1969, Mr. O'Hara moved to Boston, Massachusetts where he attended Harvard Business School, from which he graduated in 1971 with a Masters in Business Administration, again with honors. He then joined the Peace Corps in Cambodia, where he served for more than a year in various roles and played rugby.
In the 1970s, Mr. O'Hara worked in and around New York City and Boston. He received a Masters Degree in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts and taught in the business school there. In the 1980s, Mr. O'Hara attended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he pursued his Ph.D. in Business. He moved to Monterey, California in 1985, where he worked for several radio stations selling advertising space. In 1988, Mr. O'Hara's daughter, Katie, was born, and in 1991, his second daughter, Kelsey, was born.
Mr. O'Hara worked in Monterey from 1985 through 2009 and raised his two daughters. He passed away while traveling in Bora Bora on March 31, 2009 and is survived by his daughters, Katie and Kelsey O'Hara; his brother, Paul O'Hara and his sister, Maggie O'Hara. He was an amazing father and friend, and was loved by many. He will be dearly missed.
There will be a celebration in honor of his life on Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Adventures By The Sea in Monterey from 5-8pm. Please wear your brightest colors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amnesty International or the Monterey Youth Arts Collective.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Cincinnati Enquirer on May 21, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
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Carol P

May 15, 2024

It's pretty amazing that I was just sharing my story of Terry, his love for life and will to live. This memory & condolences just came up.
As someone once said, there are no coincidences.
Carol P

Lisa Foley

May 20, 2019

Remembering Dear Terry as a wonderful father today.

July 10, 2012

Elisabeth--no need to make contact.
Just remembering a friend from the past.
I'm sorry to see he died at such a young age. He was a very unique individual.
All the best-Judy

July 10, 2012

I don't know Richard Donahue. He was good friends with Bruce Watson back in the '70s.

July 8, 2012

Is this possibly the T.G. O'Hara I knew in graduate school at Lehigh University in 1973-75? He was married to a girl named Paula at the time.

Elisabeth Anderson

October 3, 2011

I miss Terry all the time. It still feels unreal that he is nothere with us. He was a really special friend.

Pam S.

November 15, 2010

I also met Terry on the cruise with my friend Carol. We spent a fun afternoon in Cabo with him. We enjoyed the time we spent with him very much.

Carol P

November 14, 2010

I met Terry on a cruise in Cabo. He was so happy to be with his Daughter traveling. His joy was watching his daughter have fun. Blessing Carol

Elisabeth Anderson

November 26, 2009

I knew Terry since 1985. We spent many wonderful times together. I loved him...though we argued over the silliest things. I deeply regret illness has taken us from him. He was an outstanding person. When he flew up my 4 flights of stairs, I secretly thought he was invincible.

Michael & Ruthi Bellinger

May 23, 2009

Terry was always so proud of his girls. No matter what he was doing, whenever one of them would call him at work, he would stop and smile and light up at the phone talking to them. He was always up for an adventure and living life as long and as fully as possible. We will miss you.

Regena Lauterbach

May 22, 2009

It was with great sadness that I read about Terry. He was always such a positive man and really supported the girls and education. I will truly miss him. I am sorry I cannot attend his service, as I will be out of town.

Rebecca Little

May 22, 2009

Terry inspired me to be honest and true to myself. Terry told me that he had held back his feelings and urges for most of his life, but at this point in his life he wasn't going hold back anything anymore. He didn't and I will always remember him for that.

Cora Levine

May 22, 2009

The light of his spirit will forever shine bright through the many lives he touched.
A true inspiration to all. He knew how to LIVE life to it's fullest vibrancy! And... how to gracefully enter into God's heavenly kingdom.
Such an incredible man.
Missed and loved by all who had the gift of being a part of his amazing life.

Luisa Bowling

May 21, 2009

I met Terry when he worked in radio advertising. It was always a pleasure to see him, talk with him, and laugh with him. Although it has been a while since we talked, I thought of him often. He will be missed.

Angela Quaglia

May 21, 2009

Mr. O'Hara has always been kind and sweet to me, qualities he has surely passed on to his daughters. My prayers are with them.

Irma Gonzalez

May 21, 2009

Terry, I know you're watching over us right now and planning your next trip in heaven. You will alwasy have a special place in my heart. Love you

Helen Lazaro

May 21, 2009

Terry,
You were my great friend and mentor. I will miss your up beat nature and wicked sense of humor. You truly lived life to it's fullest!

Andrea Lamas

May 21, 2009

I miss seeing him and his colorful outfits! The world was a better place with Terry in it!!

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