Brendan P. O'Hara

Lifelong New Yorker and a Saint Mary’s of Roslyn parishioner and Lector for over 50 years, Brendan P. O’Hara, 97, passed away peacefully at home with his family, on Monday, July 17, 2023. He was the beloved husband of the late Jane (Chamberlin), married for 40 years.

Brendan was born in Brooklyn, NY on February 24th or 25th, 1925 or 1926, the sixth child of Bridget (Bessie) Rooney and Dennis O’Hara, both of Manorhamilton, Leitrim County, Ireland.

At 17, Brendan worked as a lifeguard at Rockaway Beach, NY, launching a lifetime of swimming in the ocean any time he got the chance, right up to Labor Day, 2022. Brendan was a proud graduate of both Brooklyn Technical High School and Cornell University. At Cornell, where Brendan would say, “I enjoyed every single day of my time there”, he earned a degree in Civil Engineering while simultaneously serving as an Ensign in the US Navy under the little-known V-12 program.

After serving in Guam in 1945 – 1947, Brendan embarked on a career in sales and construction management. He worked with Van Tulco Inc., Whitestone, NY for 42 years, retiring at the age of 92.

Brendan is survived by his children, his 17 grandchildren, whom he names as “the greatest pride and joy of my life”, and his one great grandchild: Kate, Tom, and Eliza Croarkin; Brian, Cathie, Megan, Erin, Denis and Annie O’Hara; Mary O’Hara and John O’Connell, Martha O’Connell, Theresa, Scott and Lily Chamberlin, Stephen O’Connell and Georgia Haddad, and Christine and John Long; Brendan O’Hara and Anita Beinikis and Maija O’Hara; Honor O’Hara; Joseph, Ilze, Cullen, Aedan, Ella, and Seamus O’Hara; Michael O’Hara and Susan Audie and Greta, Madeline and Jack O’Hara. Brendan is preceded in eternal life by daughters, Ellen and Erin O’Hara and, dear friend Eileen Cimperman Farley. Brendan is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and dear friends, including the Cimperman family.

Visiting on Sunday, July 23 and Monday, July 24 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at Whitting Funeral Home, 300 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head, NY 11545.

Mass on Tuesday, July 25, at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church, Roslyn, NY, followed by burial at Long Island National Cemetery and a reception at a location TBD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:

Glen Cove YMCA Swim programs or, St. Mary’s, Roslyn, Human Concerns.