Joseph O'Gara obituary: Joseph O'Gara's Obituary, Kentuckiana
In Memory Of
Joseph John O'Gara
1931 - 2018
In Memory Of
Joseph John O'Gara
1931 - 2018
Joseph John O'Gara was born on April 9, 1931, he passed away on May 12, 2018 at the age of 87.
Born in Columbus, Ohio to Joseph and Helen Hegele O'Gara. Joe was an only child and was raised by his father and his aunts Kate and Mame in Urbana, Ohio where he spent most of his early life. When Joe was five his father bought him an airplane ticket to fly from Columbus to Dayton, a trip which sparked a lifelong interest in planes and aviation. It was also in Urbana where he met Anita Pfaff, who would go on to be his wife for 63 years and the mother of his three children; Joey, Kathy, and Maureen. Although Joe resided in Louisville for the past 52 years, he always considered Urbana his home.
Joe graduated from Campion High School in Prarie du Chien, Wisconsin. It was riding on the train from here to his home in Urbana that developed his love for trains and the Pennsylvania Railroad. He went on to graduate from Notre Dame with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. Joe would remain a loyal fan of his Alma Mater for the rest of his life, even when this brought him in direct conflict with his wife's love for Ohio State University (her Alma Mater). Friends and family might recall the good natured arguments and taunting that resulted whenever the two teams played against each other.
Joe was a faithful Catholic and while he was healthy attended St. Bernadette's Catholic Church (formerly Mother of Good Council, or "Mother Goose" as it was affectionately called). While unable to attend services in recent years, he always made sure to watch services on television.
Joe was a man who loved life and to travel. His job took him all across the United States and on his time off he was always finding a train museum or an airshow to attend. He loved taking pictures with his son-in-law Kevin, and he passed his love of photography on to his children and grandchildren. Besides his family he loved food and travel. He was able to achieve one of his lifelong dreams of visiting Ireland, which his grandparents had left in the late 1800's. Accompanied by his son, Joey, he was able to visit the city where his grandparents had lived and also the ancient O'Gara Castle.
Over the years Joe was involved in many activities, including golf, boating, bowling, CB radio, and model railroading, one of his biggest passions. His friends in Division 8 and the K&I Model Railroad club will remember Joe for his love of the Pennsylvania Railroad and his sense of humor.
Even at his sickest, he never lost his sense of humor and was regarded as a delightful gentleman by those who took care of him. He will be sorely missed by his loving family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Anita O'Gara; children, Joey (Debby) O'Gara, Kathy (the late Kevin) Sturgill, Maureen (Tim) Rhodus; grandchildren, Allen Rhodus, Brian Rhodus, Kristi (Brian) Patrick, Kelli (Tyrone) Hines, Kassi Sturgill, Niki (Justin) LaCroix and Amy Spears; great-grandchildren, Isel Spears, Sydney Spears, Aiden Crawford and Grayson Spears.
A memorial service to celebrate Joe's life is to be held in Urbana, Ohio at a later date.
Born in Columbus, Ohio to Joseph and Helen Hegele O'Gara. Joe was an only child and was raised by his father and his aunts Kate and Mame in Urbana, Ohio where he spent most of his early life. When Joe was five his father bought him an airplane ticket to fly from Columbus to Dayton, a trip which sparked a lifelong interest in planes and aviation. It was also in Urbana where he met Anita Pfaff, who would go on to be his wife for 63 years and the mother of his three children; Joey, Kathy, and Maureen. Although Joe resided in Louisville for the past 52 years, he always considered Urbana his home.
Joe graduated from Campion High School in Prarie du Chien, Wisconsin. It was riding on the train from here to his home in Urbana that developed his love for trains and the Pennsylvania Railroad. He went on to graduate from Notre Dame with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. Joe would remain a loyal fan of his Alma Mater for the rest of his life, even when this brought him in direct conflict with his wife's love for Ohio State University (her Alma Mater). Friends and family might recall the good natured arguments and taunting that resulted whenever the two teams played against each other.
Joe was a faithful Catholic and while he was healthy attended St. Bernadette's Catholic Church (formerly Mother of Good Council, or "Mother Goose" as it was affectionately called). While unable to attend services in recent years, he always made sure to watch services on television.
Joe was a man who loved life and to travel. His job took him all across the United States and on his time off he was always finding a train museum or an airshow to attend. He loved taking pictures with his son-in-law Kevin, and he passed his love of photography on to his children and grandchildren. Besides his family he loved food and travel. He was able to achieve one of his lifelong dreams of visiting Ireland, which his grandparents had left in the late 1800's. Accompanied by his son, Joey, he was able to visit the city where his grandparents had lived and also the ancient O'Gara Castle.
Over the years Joe was involved in many activities, including golf, boating, bowling, CB radio, and model railroading, one of his biggest passions. His friends in Division 8 and the K&I Model Railroad club will remember Joe for his love of the Pennsylvania Railroad and his sense of humor.
Even at his sickest, he never lost his sense of humor and was regarded as a delightful gentleman by those who took care of him. He will be sorely missed by his loving family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Anita O'Gara; children, Joey (Debby) O'Gara, Kathy (the late Kevin) Sturgill, Maureen (Tim) Rhodus; grandchildren, Allen Rhodus, Brian Rhodus, Kristi (Brian) Patrick, Kelli (Tyrone) Hines, Kassi Sturgill, Niki (Justin) LaCroix and Amy Spears; great-grandchildren, Isel Spears, Sydney Spears, Aiden Crawford and Grayson Spears.
A memorial service to celebrate Joe's life is to be held in Urbana, Ohio at a later date.
Joseph John O'Gara was born on April 9, 1931, he passed away on May 12, 2018 at the age of 87.
Born in Columbus, Ohio to Joseph and Helen Hegele O'Gara. Joe was an only child and was raised by his father and his aunts Kate and Mame in Urbana, Ohio where he spent most of his early life. When Joe was five his father bought him an airplane ticket to fly from Columbus to Dayton, a trip which sparked a lifelong interest in planes and aviation. It was also in Urbana where he met Anita Pfaff, who would go on to be his wife for 63 years and the mother of his three children; Joey, Kathy, and Maureen. Although Joe resided in Louisville for the past 52 years, he always considered Urbana his home.
Joe graduated from Campion High School in Prarie du Chien, Wisconsin. It was riding on the train from here to his home in Urbana that developed his love for trains and the Pennsylvania Railroad. He went on to graduate from Notre Dame with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. Joe would remain a loyal fan of his Alma Mater for the rest of his life, even when this brought him in direct conflict with his wife's love for Ohio State University (her Alma Mater). Friends and family might recall the good natured arguments and taunting that resulted whenever the two teams played against each other.
Joe was a faithful Catholic and while he was healthy attended St. Bernadette's Catholic Church (formerly Mother of Good Council, or "Mother Goose" as it was affectionately called). While unable to attend services in recent years, he always made sure to watch services on television.
Joe was a man who loved life and to travel. His job took him all across the United States and on his time off he was always finding a train museum or an airshow to attend. He loved taking pictures with his son-in-law Kevin, and he passed his love of photography on to his children and grandchildren. Besides his family he loved food and travel. He was able to achieve one of his lifelong dreams of visiting Ireland, which his grandparents had left in the late 1800's. Accompanied by his son, Joey, he was able to visit the city where his grandparents had lived and also the ancient O'Gara Castle.
Over the years Joe was involved in many activities, including golf, boating, bowling, CB radio, and model railroading, one of his biggest passions. His friends in Division 8 and the K&I Model Railroad club will remember Joe for his love of the Pennsylvania Railroad and his sense of humor.
Even at his sickest, he never lost his sense of humor and was regarded as a delightful gentleman by those who took care of him. He will be sorely missed by his loving family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Anita O'Gara; children, Joey (Debby) O'Gara, Kathy (the late Kevin) Sturgill, Maureen (Tim) Rhodus; grandchildren, Allen Rhodus, Brian Rhodus, Kristi (Brian) Patrick, Kelli (Tyrone) Hines, Kassi Sturgill, Niki (Justin) LaCroix and Amy Spears; great-grandchildren, Isel Spears, Sydney Spears, Aiden Crawford and Grayson Spears.
A memorial service to celebrate Joe's life is to be held in Urbana, Ohio at a later date.
Born in Columbus, Ohio to Joseph and Helen Hegele O'Gara. Joe was an only child and was raised by his father and his aunts Kate and Mame in Urbana, Ohio where he spent most of his early life. When Joe was five his father bought him an airplane ticket to fly from Columbus to Dayton, a trip which sparked a lifelong interest in planes and aviation. It was also in Urbana where he met Anita Pfaff, who would go on to be his wife for 63 years and the mother of his three children; Joey, Kathy, and Maureen. Although Joe resided in Louisville for the past 52 years, he always considered Urbana his home.
Joe graduated from Campion High School in Prarie du Chien, Wisconsin. It was riding on the train from here to his home in Urbana that developed his love for trains and the Pennsylvania Railroad. He went on to graduate from Notre Dame with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. Joe would remain a loyal fan of his Alma Mater for the rest of his life, even when this brought him in direct conflict with his wife's love for Ohio State University (her Alma Mater). Friends and family might recall the good natured arguments and taunting that resulted whenever the two teams played against each other.
Joe was a faithful Catholic and while he was healthy attended St. Bernadette's Catholic Church (formerly Mother of Good Council, or "Mother Goose" as it was affectionately called). While unable to attend services in recent years, he always made sure to watch services on television.
Joe was a man who loved life and to travel. His job took him all across the United States and on his time off he was always finding a train museum or an airshow to attend. He loved taking pictures with his son-in-law Kevin, and he passed his love of photography on to his children and grandchildren. Besides his family he loved food and travel. He was able to achieve one of his lifelong dreams of visiting Ireland, which his grandparents had left in the late 1800's. Accompanied by his son, Joey, he was able to visit the city where his grandparents had lived and also the ancient O'Gara Castle.
Over the years Joe was involved in many activities, including golf, boating, bowling, CB radio, and model railroading, one of his biggest passions. His friends in Division 8 and the K&I Model Railroad club will remember Joe for his love of the Pennsylvania Railroad and his sense of humor.
Even at his sickest, he never lost his sense of humor and was regarded as a delightful gentleman by those who took care of him. He will be sorely missed by his loving family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Anita O'Gara; children, Joey (Debby) O'Gara, Kathy (the late Kevin) Sturgill, Maureen (Tim) Rhodus; grandchildren, Allen Rhodus, Brian Rhodus, Kristi (Brian) Patrick, Kelli (Tyrone) Hines, Kassi Sturgill, Niki (Justin) LaCroix and Amy Spears; great-grandchildren, Isel Spears, Sydney Spears, Aiden Crawford and Grayson Spears.
A memorial service to celebrate Joe's life is to be held in Urbana, Ohio at a later date.