Obituary of T. Richard O'Mara C.D.
Sgt. (Ret'd) O'Mara, Timothy Richard, C.D. 1936 – 2024
Canadian Army, RCDC and RCEME
Richard passed away after a good long life, he is survived by his spouse/partner of 59 years, Andree, his four children, Timothy and Kevin of Oakville, Colleen (David) of St. Catharines, and Kathleen (Anthony) of Hamilton, grandsons, Brennan, Hayden, Ethan, and Liam, great grandson Kingsley. Predeceased by his parents Timothy Joseph & Lily (Potts), sister Barbara Wilkenson, and brother Gordan O’Mara.
As a young lad who was always looking for new adventure in the alleys and streets of St. Catharines. At the age of 14, he dropped out of school due to bullying related to his stutter, but it didn’t stop him for reaching for education and future possibilities. In the fall of 1952, Richard saw an advertisement by the Canadian Army looking for boys of the age of 16 for a new program called Soldier Apprentices. Richard registered for the Apprentice Program in RCEME (Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers) to be trained as an Armourer (small arms weapon technician). In Jan 1955, Richard was part of the first graduating class of Soldier Apprentices and was posted to Vancouver to work in the RCEME Workshop as part of the small arms inspection team. From 1955 to 1958, He was posted to Camp Petawawa with the RCD Armoured Regt., He served as a unit armourer with the RCD Armoured Regt., The 1st. Bn.Can.Guards, the 2 Bn.Can. Guards, the RCD Recce Sqd, the 2nd Bn. Royal 22nd. Regt. In 1958, He was then posted to Germany (NATO) to serve with 4 Field Wksp with the 8th Can Hussars Armoured Regt in the Canadian Brigade in Germany. While at the RCEME Field Workshop in Germany, Richard successfully designed an arrangement of mounting a .30 cal. Browning Machine Gun on a Ferret scout car. He received a Suggestion Award by the Deputy Minister DOD for the cost-efficient design. On returning from Europe in 1961, Richard transferred to the Royal Canadian Dental Corps to become a Dental Lab Technician, He was posted to numerous Canadian Forces bases throughout Canada (CFB Trenton, CFB London, CFB Longue-Pointe (Montreal), CFB Calgary), as a dental assistant, and working his way up to a senior lab technician. He was part of the United Nations missions in Cyprus 1964 and Egypt 1973. Richard retired from the Cdn Forces in 1980 with the rank of Sergeant and began a 14-year career in Real Estate with A. E. LePage (Royal LePage) and retired from Real Estate in 1994.
It was a chance meeting in a park in London, Ontario, where he met a young nurse named Andree Leblanc in 1964. After their courtship, they married and began building a family first in London ON, then Beloeil QC, Calgary AB, St. Catharines, Port Dover and returned to St. Catharines. As the family moved from East to West and return, family holidays were always an adventure of seeing and experiencing Canada. During the years in Calgary, the family travelled often to Prince George to visit his sister and mother. The family also made its yearly pilgrimage to Cape Breton to visit Andree’s family, and of course, Montreal Expos games first at Jarry Park, then Olympic Stadium and road trips to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was a family event.
Faith was important to Richard; he was confirmed Catholic during his United Nations mission in Cyprus and it became a part of his life. He believed that if one is able to give their time, talent or treasure, they were serving God. Recently, as a member of St. Julia Parish, he facilitated the planting of 13 new trees on the St. Julia Church property. He will be deeply missed by his family, his sisters/brother in laws (Olive, Eunice, Lorraine, Lucille (Andre), Sharon and Jim), nephews Tom and Dan, niece Eileen and the many nieces and nephews in the LeBlanc family. He leaves behind a legacy of service to Family, God and Country.
In keeping with the Richard’s wishes, funeral arrangements have been entrusted with the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines. The family welcomes guests for a time of visitation on Saturday, November 30 2024 from 10:00 – 11:00am at St. Julia Roman Catholic Church with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00am. A private family burial will take place at a later date. If desired, please consider memorial donations to the St. Vincent de Paul and/or St. Julia Roman Catholic Church in honour of Richard.