Arbor Day Ceremony Honors Father O'Hear
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| A lilac tree was dedicated by the North Adams Tree Commission to the late Rev. Daniel O'Hear. |
A lilac tree selected by Mayor John Barrett III had been planted by the city's Tree Commission outside St. Anthony's Parish before the ceremony. "We hope it will grow and be around a long, long time," said the mayor.
O'Hear led St. Anthony's Parish for 26 years until retiring in 2005 and became the volunteer chaplain at North Adams Regional Hospital and Hospice of Northern Berkshire. He died Jan. 11 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.
"He had an ever-expanding heart filled with love and spirituality," said Kathy Arabia, vice president of guest services at Northern Berkshire Healthcare and a member of O'Hear's flock.
Arabia, her voice often overwhelmed with emotion, recalled how O'Hear had spoken with her about what he could do to help at the hospital. For nearly two years, he had comforted patients and families in crisis, regardless of creed or faith, filling an important role in health-care system's mission to support the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of its patients.
He had insisted, she said, that he be called at any time, day or night, if a family's own pastor was not available. "He took his role very seriously, not only supporting patients and families but the staff as well."
The health-care system had found space to provide him with office, but he asked the hospital to give it to someone else. Instead, he spent his time walking the floors, seeking those who might need his help.
"His favorite spot we found, when not with a patient or family, was sitting with the volunteers talking, sharing stories and ministering," said Arabia. "He touched so many of our patients and so many in our health-care system."
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 Cousins Kathy Stevenson, left, Paul Molnar, Margaret Frankel, and Edward and Anna Stevenson. |
It was appropriate, he said, that the lilac tree was being planted on the far east side of St. Anthony's Parish Center. Father O'Hear hadn't been quick to accept Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts across the street from the church, but came to see how much it helped the city. "Mass MoCA grew on him, much like North Adams had. He became part of the community."
He wasn't afraid to call with his misgivings about issues, said Barrett. "But he did it without anger, he did for the right reasons, and he did it as a priest who knew his job was to help people.
"We're very proud to be participating in a ceremony today to honor not only great a priest but also a great man."
Most of O'Hear's immediate family lives in the Milwaukee area but his brother, Michael, in a letter, expressed how much his brother had loved this area and how much his family had been touched by the outpouring by the city upon his death.
"Planting a tree in his memory emphasizes his commitment to life and his love of the natural world," read Deborah Nicholas, manager of volunteer services at Northern Berkshire Healthcare, from the letter. "Dan was never one for self-congratulation for any of his achievements but I know this memorial would make him happy."
Nicholas said the tree was appropriate for O'Hear "had been planting hope" during his time at the hospital. She also presented a plaque from NBH that will be placed next to the tree.
The ceremony was overseen by Tree Commission Chairman Alma Benedetti and the Conte Middle School chorus sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Teach Your Children Well." The Rev. William F. Cyr, O'Hear's successor and pastor of the North Adams Catholic Community, said a prayer and blessed the tree.
While O'Hear's brother could not attend, several of his first cousins were on hand and took part in the ceremonial dipping of shovels in the earth.
Edward Stevenson of Pittsfield said the family was close; that O'Hear had married and baptized family members and had celebrated holidays with his nearby relatives. "He was always there for us."
Another cousin, Kathy Stevenson and her husband, Paul Molnar, were visiting from Okanogan, Wash.
"We're glad to be here," said Stevenson, who added she was struck by how much O'Hear had done in the community. "It's one of those things, you don't know what he did until he's gone. All those people were so fond of him."
Ed Stevenson's wife, Anna, was confident of what Father O'Hear is doing now.
"The last thing I said to Father Dan was to say a prayer for all our families. I'm sure he's in Heaven, taking care of us."
"What earnest worker with hand and brain for the benefit for his fellow man could desire a more pleasing recognition of his usefulness than the monument of a tree, ever-growing, ever-blooming, ever-bearing wholesome." - Quote by Washington Irving, as read by Deborah Nicholas
