Verona Man, Local Business Owner Passes Away: Ed O'Hara

VERONA, NJ — Verona resident Edward H. O'Hara, co-founder of E&M O'Hara Electric in West Orange, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Aug. 10. He was 77-years-old.

O’Hara was born in Newark and raised in West Orange, later moving to Verona where he raised his family and has lived for the past 53 years. See more local obituaries at the Patch Verona-Cedar Grove Facebook page.

The Rotary Club of West Orange said of their longtime member:

“He will always have a special place in our hearts.”

The following obituary comes via Codey & Jones Funeral Home:

“Edward H. O'Hara Co-founder of E&M O'Hara Electric in West Orange, loved by his family and community Edward Hugh O'Hara of Verona, N.J., passed away unexpectedly due to complications from ALS, on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, at St. Barnabas Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was 77 years old. He touched many lives as a businessman, family man and friend.

“Please join the family as they celebrate Ed's life with visitation at the Codey & Jones Funeral Home, 54 Roseland Ave., Caldwell, N.J. 07006 on Sunday, Aug. 13, from 2 to 6 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Our Lady of the Lake R.C. Church, 32 Lakeside Ave., Verona, N.J. 07044 on Monday, Aug. 14, at 10 a.m., followed by the interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, N.J. To share a condolence or memory, please visit www.codeyjonesfh.com.

“Ed was born in Newark, N.J. and raised in West Orange, N.J. He was the son of Frank and Louise (O'Kane) O'Hara and one of nine children. Ed and his wife, Jacqueline, raised their three children in Verona, where they have lived for the past 53 years.

“Fifty-four years ago, Mr. O'Hara was co-founder, along with his brother Mike, of E & M O'Hara Electric in West Orange. It is a family-owned and operated company that serves neighbors and businesses throughout the state.

“Ed was a member of the Essex County Electrical Contractors Association, West Orange Rotary Club, Essex County Country Club, New Jersey Seniors Golf Association and the Frank O'Hara Association. In 1981, he was appointed by Governor Byrne to the N.J. Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors and was elected to two terms as chairman. Ed was a devoted parishioner at Our Lady of the Lake for 53 years.

“Mr. O'Hara honorably served in the National Guard at Fort Dix, NJ and Fort Knox Kentucky.

“Surviving are his beloved wife, Jacqueline Gale (Kopp) O'Hara; devoted children, Kelly Ann Daly and her husband, Paul; Terry O'Hara Lavoie and her husband, Jack, and Edward Gustave O'Hara; loving sisters, Kathleen Kenah and her husband, Richard and Ann O'Neill; dear brothers, Joseph and Thomas and his wife, Patti; and sisters-in-law, Lydia O'Hara and Margaret O'Hara; five cherished grandchildren, Eddie, Matt, Shane, Maggie and Frank, also many nieces and nephews.

“In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sister, Mary Roth; brothers, Patrick, Frank and Michael; brothers-in-law, Thomas O'Neill and Edward Roth; sister-in-law, Janet O'Hara, and a niece, Kelly O'Hara.

“In lieu of flowers, donations to the ALS Association of Greater NY, 42 Broadway, Ste. 1724, NY, NY 10004 (www.als-NY.org) or to Seton Hall Prep, 120 Northfield Ave., W. Orange, NJ 07052 would be appreciated.”

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Photo via Codey & Jones Funeral Home