Gerald John O'Hara

He was born in Buffalo, NY on June 10, 1945, the fifth of six children. He nostalgically spoke of his time as a child in the Langfield Projects of Buffalo, often getting into mischief and taking on shoe shining jobs along side his big brothers, at the young age of 9 or 10. He lived in Buffalo until his family relocated to California in the early 1960’s.

In 1966 Jerry married the love of his life Carole Anne Hajek, and over their 55 years of marriage, raised a beautiful family of 8 children together.

Jerry was an entrepreneur and a man of many talents. He began as an upholsterer and carpet installer, supporting his family with his hard labor, but he eventually opened his own, very successful flooring business. Jerry’s passion was always writing though and amongst his many works, published his first novel Malsum, in 1978, adding author to his resume. Never to be satiated for knowledge, he developed an interest in law and became a paralegal in 1992. Later in his retirement years, Jerry filled his time buying and selling collectibles, another of his great passions.

Jerry loved fishing and hunting and took his family on many cross country RV trips where they camped along the way. He worked long hours to be able to provide for his large family and as he was a kid at heart, always made sure they had the newest gadgets and appliances. He could often be found on the sidelines of the soccer field coaching one of his children’s teams- even when he wasn’t the coach. He was very proud of his children but especially of his grandchildren and usually took all the credit for their accomplishments. Facebook was his grandpa brag book and luckily the fact checkers didn’t censor him.

He is survived by his wife Carole Anne; seven of his 8 children; James O’Hara (Sandra), Michael O’Hara (Pilar), Russell O’Hara, Gerald O’Hara Jr (Heather), Judith White (Brian), Dennis O’Hara (Karen) and Elizabeth O’Hara; 16 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and brothers Robert and Michael O’Hara. He is preceded in death by his parents Francis and Raffaella O’Hara, sister Judith Clements, brothers Dennis and Francis O’Hara, nephew Gerald Foster and his youngest son Patrick O’Hara.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Montecito Memorial Park at 3520 E. Washington St, Colton, CA 92324.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 12 at 1:00 pm in the Cypress Chapel at Montecito Memorial Park and the graveside service will begin following the memorial at 2:30 pm. A reception will follow at the home of Judy and Brian White in Yucaipa.

If you have any questions or need assistance please call 909•825•3024

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.montecitomemorialparkandmortuary.com for the O'Hara family.