Honor Mission
James P. O'Hare
US Army
Vietnam Era Veteran
Fire Fighter
Albany, NY - 09/05/2023
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 4, Region 5
About the Mission:
The family of James P. O'Hare has requested Patriot Guard Riders participation in his military honors funeral services. James, 72 of Colonie, entered into eternal life on August 29, 2023 after a brief illness surrounded by his family and friends.
Born in Albany, NY, Jim attended the Vincentian Institute, graduating in 1969. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from February 1971 until November of 1972, including a 1 year and 4 month assignment with Company "B", 1/60th Infantry, 172nd Infantry Brigade at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He was released from active duty on 20 November 1971, and upon completing his inactive reserve obligation, was honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist 4th Class (E-4) on 15 February 1977. For his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Expert Badge, Rifle, M-16.
Jim later went on to join New York Telephone Company (eventually becoming Verizon) where he worked for 50 years, and its union, the Upstate Telephone Employees Association, after which he joined the Communication Workers of America where he moved up through the ranks becoming Vice President of the Local in 1983 and President in 1985. He held the position of president for 20 years until his retirement in December 2005. In 1993, Jim was responsible for the Albany portion of a PT Phone Home program that installed phones in the VA hospital for use by Veterans.
Jim was a life member of the Fuller Road Fire Department where he served for 50 years and was named Fire Fighter of the Year in 1976. At different times during his years with the department, he had served as Truck Captain, Rescue Squad Captain, was a drill team member and a member of the Funsters.
Portions of the above narrative are contained in Jim's obituary, available for viewing online by clicking here
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
09/05/2023 at 10:00am
Staging Location:
McVeigh Funeral Home
208 N. Allen St.
Albany, NY 12206
Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Ray Sestak
518-669-3358
Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines:
Updated 8 March 2022
Based on the most current COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: Protect Yourself and Your Family from COVID-19, and CDC Guidelines of 3 March 2022, going forward, the Lead Ride Captain for any mission will be responsible for determining whether PGR members will have to mask up or not. Please ensure that you have a mask with you, should the need arise, and respect the LRC’s decision in these matters.
Special Information:
Staging at the funeral home with a flag line for the dignified transfer. Members will escort to St. Vincent De Paul Church, 900 Madison Ave., Albany, NY 12208 for an 11:00 am Mass. Following church services, members will escort to St. Agnes Cemetery, 48 Cemetery Ave., Menands, for interment with military honors.
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
no
Submitted by:
Ray Sestak
rs 09/01; MER
