John J. O'Mara

Mr. John J. O'Mara, of Arlington, died Tuesday, July 4, 2012 in Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He was 85.

John was born on May 10, 1927 in Somerville a son of the late Catherine (Wallace) O'Mara and was raised in Cambridge. He was an Arlington resident for over 30 years. He served honorably in the United States Navy during World War II.

He worked as a mail handler for over 30 years at the Boston Postal Annex in South Boston before retiring.

John was a member of the Local 301 National Postal Mail Handlers Union and Manager of the Drill Team and Color Guard at the former Blessed Sacrament Church in Cambridge. His home away from home was the Suffolk Downs and he looked forward to his weekly poker games with the same group of friends he had been playing with for years. An avid bowler he belonged to a league many years ago.

His wife, Helen L. (Hastings) O'Mara died February 25, 1972 and he is predeceased by his only brother, William O'Mara.

He leaves his daughters, Jane M. Casey of Cambridge and Jo-Ann H. O'Mara of Arlington; his grandchildren, Jason Casey and his wife, Rachel and Lauren Willis and her husband, Jason; his sister-in-law, Clare Machado and her husband, Arthur, of Bridgewater; nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember John 's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, July 8th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again on Monday where his funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Cambridge Cemetery, Cambridge.