Arthur 'Art' O'Hara Jr. 90; World War II Bomber Pilot; Founder of Olympia Sales in Enfield

From Leete-Stevens Funeral Home.

Arthur P. “Art” O’Hara Jr., of Palm City, FL died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Nov. 4, 2014. He was 90.

Born on June 18, 1924 in North Bergen, NJ, he was the son of the late Arthur and Olga (Legenhausen) O’Hara.

He was a graduate of Teaneck High School, class of 1942. Arthur’s education at Dartmouth College was interrupted by his enlistment in the Army Air Force in 1944, where he was trained to pilot B-29 bomber aircraft. After 16 successful missions from his base on Tinian Island, Arthur was shot down over Japan on May 29, 1945 and was incarcerated for 3 months as a Japanese POW in Kempe Tai prison outside of Tokyo. A member of the “Greatest Generation” and a WWII hero, Arthur was a recipient of 3 Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. After his liberation on Aug. 29, 1945 Arthur resumed his education, received a Bachelor’s Degree from Dartmouth College and continued his education at Tuck Business School. His extraordinary vision and drive led to the founding of Olympia Sales, Inc. in Enfield. Established in 1966, this family owned company is now in its second generation.

Arthur married the love of his life, Augusta O’Hara (Kettler) on Sept. 17, 1949, and in 1955 they settled in Wilbraham, MA where they raised their four children. He was a member of the Wilbraham Lions Club, Commissioner of the Wilbraham Fire Department, on the Board of Directors at Northern Connecticut National Bank and Mercy Hospital, and active in Little League baseball. He loved golf and played at the Longmeadow Country Club where he also served a term as President. In 1985 Arthur and Augusta moved to Somers, CT and eventually retired in Palm City, FL where he took great joy in playing golf and fishing. Always a passionate fly fisherman, his adventures took him to destinations around the globe: Vermont, Montana, Alaska, Belize and Iceland.

Arthur was a great man who lived the American Dream. His love for his family was immeasurable, and he will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

Arthur is survived by his wife Augusta O’Hara (Kettler); his four children: Christine O’Hara, Kathleen O’Hara and her husband Malcolm Walsh, Tom O’Hara and his wife Irina, Lorraine O’Hara and her partner Doug Lapierre; his eight grandchildren: Lucy, Arthur Gray, Harrison, Isabel, Jack, Olivia, Alexa and Kean; his brother, Robert O’Hara; sister-in-law, Joan Kettler; a brother-in-law, Bernard Kettler and his wife, Marie; his nieces and nephews; extended family and many friends.

Visitation will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield. The funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at St. Bernard Church (Please meet at church), 426 Hazard Ave., Enfield. Father John Melnick of St. Bernard Church will be officiating. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Home & Community Health Services, Inc. PO Box 1199, Enfield, CT 06083 and/or Sister Caratas Cancer Center, 271 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.