Frank O’Hara probably accomplished just about everything that we dream about in America. From very humble beginnings in a small fieldstone house off a dirt lane in the townland of Boggaun in Ballinamore, Country Leitrim, Ireland, Frank O’Hara began his life’s journey that today is manifested by an Irish family that carries his beliefs and principles. He was born in 1900, one of fifteen children of
Patrick O’Hara; his mother was the former Mary McCaffrey from County Cavan. Typical of most young Irishman of his day, he fought as part of the Leitrim Brigade for a free Ireland after the 1916 Easter uprising. He was held prisoner in Athlone barracks until he escaped by scaling a wall. Frank O’Hara emigrated to America in the 1920’s with just a primary school education but he had a deep burning desire for what he accomplished in America. While working with the Hudson Tubes (now PATH) and Prudential Insurance Company, he opened a speak-easy on Bergen Street, Newark. When Prohibition was repealed in 1933, he opened a tavern on Central Avenue, Newark. In 1932, Frank O’Hara married Louise O’Kane, a native of Kilrea, County Derry, Ireland in St. Louise O’Hara shared her husband’s deep faith and devotion to family. They became parents of nine children and thirty grand children. Today there are now fifty-five great-grandchildren as well as three great-great grandchildren and the number continues to grow. In 1933, the Frank O’Hara Association was founded in Newark, organized by its first President, Raymond Mulhern. Frank O’Hara was one of the co-founders of the Newark St. After moving his family to West Orange in 1941, and opening a tavern and liquor store in the Pleasantdale section of the town in 1948, Frank O’Hara pioneered the Irish movement in West Orange and co-founded the Irish American Society of West Orange which ultimately became the present Irish American Society of the Oranges. He also co-founded the West Orange St Patrick’s Day Parade. Today the Frank O’Hara Association continues as one of the oldest active Irish organizations in NJ, fostering the strong Irish heritage and family traditions that Frank O’Hara and his wife Louise stood for. During the 1950’s, Frank O’Hara gave hope to numerous other Irishmen, sponsoring them into the United States, which was a requirement at the time. Frank O’Hara was active in fundraising activities for many years with Rev. Michael Murray, S.D.B. on behalf of Salesian Missions. Through his efforts and generosity of some very large contributions, which he was able to raise, a Mission Church was built in the Philippines, dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. While Frank O’Hara was a parishioner and benefactor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, West Orange, he also was benefactor for Rev. Matthias Boylan at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona and Msgr. Joseph C. Lenihan at Queen of Angels Church, Newark. Although he passed away more than 40 years ago, the many fruits of Frank O’Hara’s life, his strong faith, beliefs and principles which began more than 100 years ago in the obscure stone cottage continue to grow in this century and will continue for many more years, perhaps into the next century.
