A life well lived, by someone universally liked and widely admired, came to a peaceful end July 26, 2017 when Brian O'Hare passed away at home, in the company of family and friends. Brian was determined, as ever, to enjoy life on his own terms, and spent most of his final hours enjoying the sun, warmth and company of good friends and loved ones. Born to the late Holyoke Chief of Police John J. O’Hare and Josephine (Bardak) O’Hare, Brian graduated from Holyoke High School and American International College. Brian retired in 2014 from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR), as an Auditor. His co-workers, and many friends at the DOR admired his dedication, and approach to the job, and how he was empathetic to situations yet was able to convey results backed by facts and law citings, so that everyone would understand that the conclusions reached were correct. He was always active in many sports, and Brian enjoyed passing on those skills and lessons learned in athletics through his years as a coach in Little League baseball, working on road races, and mentoring youth in a variety of jobs. He was a longtime member of Wyckoff Country Club, and was an avid golfer with a low handicap who seemed to effortlessly overcome the challenges of their steep sloping and undulating greens. Brian was also a member of the Holyoke Lodge of Elks. Brian was never without a book, or newspaper and frequently had the NY Times by his side. He could converse in depth about world affairs, sports, or nearly anything else one could think of. He always displayed a calm demeanor, and his trademark wry wit was always at the ready, especially with his co-workers, or in the company of his many friends at Wyckoff's 19th hole. Brian leaves behind his partner and soulmate, Ann Tynan, a sister, Christine O'Hare and her husband David Fickett of South Hadley, a brother Jerome O'Hare, his wife Lisa Grasso and their daughter Josephine of Chelmsford. He was predeceased by his older brother John 'Buddy' O'Hare, who also worked for the Department of Revenue, Ann’s grandchildren Cailin and Jake, and grandnieces Arianna and Ali Mae were deeply loved and loved him dearly. His many cousins in the extended O’Hare family also mourn his passing and celebrate his life. Brian succumbed to genetically transmitted cardiomyopathy, a disease that has greatly impacted the O’Hare family. Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home in Holyoke was in charge of Brian's services. He will be sorely missed.

From Brian's Funeral Home memorial card:

"I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who
grieve, to dry before the sun
of happy memories that I leave
when life is done."