John Francis O’Hara
Hilltown, Pa. – John “Jack” O’Hara, 89, of Hilltown, Pa., passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 9, 2025.
Jack was born on April 9, 1936, in Philadelphia to John and Margaret O’Hara. He grew up in Olney alongside his sister, spending his boyhood playing ball in the streets and fishing with his father and grandfather. Those simple joys laid the foundation for a life filled with energy, loyalty and love.
After graduating North Catholic High School in 1954, Jack and his best friend Andy McLees signed up to the United States Navy.
In 1954, Jack met his first wife, Mary Ann McLees. They were married in May of 1958 at Incarnation Church in Logan, beginning a marriage that would span 41 years. Together, they built a family, bringing a son into this world, John (Johnny), in March 1961, and sharing a home and a place where everyone—relatives, friends and clergy—was welcomed, fed and loved. Family summer gatherings at Lake Champlain in Alburgh, Vt., carried that same spirit of community, laughter and belonging.
Family remained his greatest joy. He was happiest surrounded by Mary Ann (who passed in 1999) and he continued this happiness later marrying Diana Morgan of Highgate, Vt., in June 2007 (who since passed in November 2021). Sadly, his son Johnny passed in 2019 to cancer. Often with a fishing or hunting adventure, around a family meal, or a very detailed story to tell—those were the days that made him the happiest. Even in the face of illness, Jack’s optimism never wavered. His humor, love and faith carried him and his family through challenges with grace. Jack’s family are grateful to the remarkable staff at Doylestown Hospital for their skill and compassion.
Jack’s professional life reflected his character: respected, transformative and deeply caring. Over 30 years, “John O’Hara” became a legend in the U.S. Department of the Treasury (now part of Homeland Security). So much so, a television show was made that detailed elements of his career, named “O’Hara – US Treasury” that lasted a season. Jack’s career started with the U.S. Customs Service, following in the footsteps of his grandfather who was a customs inspector. Jack spent his career as a special agent in the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Swanton, Vt., offices investigating international smuggling organizations.
In 1972, there was a rash of international hijackings and President Nixon declared that there would be no hijackings of U.S. airlines. Jack was chosen to be one of the key components of developing the Sky Marshal program and transferred to the Washington, D.C., area where he was in charge of over 600 officers while leading both the Customs Patrol and Sky Marshals responsible for all ports of entry in Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia.
He was very proud that under his watch, no planes were hijacked from his area of responsibility. In 1982, Jack was promoted to be the U.S. Customs Service, Special Agent in Charge of Rouses Point, N.Y., and led all transnational criminal investigations from Buffalo to Portland, Maine. Jack was proud of his office which became known for its collaborative and intelligence driven investigations that was responsible for hundreds of successful seizures and prosecutions. Jack retired with distinguished honors in 1993.
Jack is survived by his beloved daughter-in-law, Janice; his brother-in-law, John (Cathy); his sister-in-law, Patricia (Andrew); his nieces and nephews, Andrew (Deirdre), Matthew (Siena), Kathryn (Martin), Cathleen (Paul), Chrissy, Terri (Marc), Colleen (deceased) and Kelly (Tom); his stepson, Michael Morgan (Rachel); and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and friends who will forever cherish his memory.
Friends and family are invited to Jack’s Vermont Life Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, to include a memorial service at 10 a.m. at the Goss Life Celebration Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton, Vt. Inurnment will follow in the East Highgate Cemetery.
Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through gossfh.com