Longtime Pastor of St. Anthony's Church Dies
NORTH ADAMS - The longtime pastor of St. Anthony's Parish, the Rev. Daniel John O'Hear Jr., died Friday at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.O'Hear, 71, led the Roman Catholic parish for 26 years, until his retirement two years ago. The popular pastor continued to serve as a chaplain at North Adams Regional Hospital and for Hospice of Northern Berkshire. A year ago, he returned to his church to say Mass in celebration of the 45th anniversary of his ordination.
His retirement in August 2005 marked an end of an era for St. Anthony's. It coincided with the departure of the Rev. Michael Twardzik from St. Francis' Church; both parishes, along with a third, have since been consolidated under one priest as the North Adams Catholic Community.
Born in Springfield on May 28, 1936, son of Daniel John O'Hear Sr. and Mary Kaley O'Hear, he graduated from Cathedral High School, from St. Michael's College in Winooski, Vt., and from St. John's Seminary in Brighton.
O'Hear was ordained a priest on Jan. 27, 1962, at St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield by The Most Rev. Christopher J. Weldon, bishop of the Diocese of Springfield.
He spent his career in Western Mass., serving first as an assistant pastor at All Saints' Church in Ware, then at St. Jerome's Church in Holyoke, at St. Thomas' Church in West Springfield and at Sacred Heart Church in Pittsfield.
He taught on the faculty at Cathedral High School for a time before being named paster of St. Anthony's Church on June 16, 1979; he retired Aug. 1, 2005.
O'Hear also served as a chaplain with the Massachusetts Army National Guard for 25 years and was discharged with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Since his retirement, he had been residing at North American Martyrs Rectory in Lanesborough. He enjoyed traveling and led several church tours while pastor.
He leaves a brother, Michael F. O'Hear of Fort Myers, Fla.; two nephews, Michael M. O'Hear of Milwaukee and Brian L. O'Hear of Sterling Heights, Mich.; a niece, Carol E. O'Hear of Brookline, and a grandniece, Lauren O'Hear, and grandnephew, Daniel O'Hear, both of Milwaukee.
FUNERAL NOTICE - A Liturgy of Christian Burial for the Rev. Daniel J. O'Hear Jr., the popular and beloved former pastor of St. Anthony's Church who died Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony's by the Rev. Robert Thrasher. Burial will be Friday at 3 p.m. in the family plot in St. Michael's Cemetery in Springfield.
Calling hours at St. Anthony's Church, 70 Marshall St., North Adams, will be Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m., followed by a vigil service celebrated at 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Capital Campaign or to the American Heart Association, both in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapel, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247, which is in charge of arrangements.
