Thomas Joseph O'Gara

87, of Indianapolis, went to meet His Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on December 28, 2015. He was born September 8, 1928, in Indianapolis, as one of seven children of Thomas and Margaret (McGinley) O’Gara, who were immigrants from the villages of Kiltyfannet and Meenaneary in County Donegal, Ireland. Throughout his life Tom treasured his family, Catholic faith, and Irish heritage. He was much beloved by his large family and many dear friends who will always cherish memories of Tom’s love, devotion, faith, generosity, laughter, hospitality, and kindness, and of the countless joys he brought to them.

Tom was a graduate of St. Philip Neri Catholic Grade School and a graduate of the Cathedral High School Class of 1946. He became well-known on the Eastside of Indianapolis while working for a decade at Johantgen’s Drug Store at the corner of Michigan and Rural Streets, beginning in the seventh grade. Following high school he attended Butler University in Indianapolis and later The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952, and was stationed in Osaka, Japan. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Tom was appointed to serve as Assistant Librarian for the United States House of Representatives by Congressman Joseph O’Hara of Minnesota. He then served as an administrative assistant to House Majority Leader John McCormack of Massachusetts. In 1956, Tom left Washington to pursue a career as a sales representative with the Pennsylvania Railroad in his hometown. He then worked in sales and customer service for the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, and Conrail for thirty-four years before retiring in 1990.

On June 2, 1962, Tom married Jeanne Mayer, the daughter of Frank and Stella Mayer of Indianapolis, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Tom and Jeanne raised five children together and were later blessed with 12 grandchildren. Tom was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church where he previously served on the parish council and the Board of Education. He was a past president of the Scecina Memorial High School Booster Club. In 2014, he was recognized as a 70-year member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Kevin Barry Division #3, a charitable, Irish-Catholic fraternal organization. During his life he took twenty-four trips to Ireland in appreciation of his heritage, and he enjoyed meeting and getting to know well his Irish relatives that had remained in his parents’ homeland. Tom was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Fatima Council, and a longtime member of the Indianapolis Traffic Club, where he was past president and on the board of directors. He was a member of the Mutual Beneficial Association for railroad employees and the Indianapolis correspondent for its magazine for the past fifteen years. Tom was also a member of the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans and a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash from the State of Indiana.

Tom is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 53 years, Jeanne; children Mary Jeanne (David) Burger MD, PhD, Karen (Patrick) Hartnett, Kathleen (Scott) Johnson, Tom (Elizabeth), and John (Amy) O’Gara; grandchildren Holly, Hannah, and Brendan Hartnett, Maryalyce, Thomas, and Joseph “JP” Burger, Danny, Claire, Tommy, and Sean O’Gara, and Michael and Gavin O’Gara; sister Kathleen “Katie” White; sisters-in-law Norma O’Gara, Dolores Conner, Dorothy Catton, and Joanne Johnson; brother-in-law Richard Mayer; 50 of his 51 nieces and nephews; and dozens of great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters Mary Agnes “Aggie” Branson, Kathleen O’Gara (infant), Margaret “Gitzie” Reckley, and Rita Mayer; and brother Charlie O’Gara. Visitation will be Friday January 1, 2016, from 3 – 8 pm at Feeney-Hornak Shadeland Mortuary. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday January 2, 2016, at 11 am at Little Flower Catholic Church with vitiation there from 10 – 11 am. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials in Tom’s name may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, Indiana or Little Flower Catholic Church. Tributes may be made at www.feeneyhornakshadeland.com.