Charles Richard O'Hara
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Charles Richard O'Hara was born on December 22, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and passed in Mooresville North Carolina on January 3, 2021, following several years of illness. Charlie was pre-deceased by his parents, Charles Hugh and Virginia Dawson, and younger brother Robert, all of Pittsburgh. His also pre-deceased by his former spouse, and the mother of his children, Mary Lawlor O'Hara.
Charlie was an Eagle Scout, a pilot, and a U S Navy veteran of the Korean War, who went on to graduate from Northrop Institute of Engineering in 1972. Throughout his career at General Electric and other firms, Charlie built power plants across the United States in California, Arizona, Iowa, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Mississippi. He also built plants in Canada, Libya and Saudi Arabia. In 2002, Charlie retired from General Electric.
In December 2006, Charlie and his wife retired to Mooresville, North Carolina. Charlie enjoyed building and flying gasoline engine remote controlled planes. He was a member of the RC Wingers flying club of Mooresville. Charlie was an enthusiastic Pittsburgh Steelers football fan. He and his wife, Kenny, enjoyed traveling to visit his family, taking cruises and trips to tropical destinations, and visiting the Outerbanks. His favorite cruise was on the Panama Canal, before the United States returned its ownership to Panama.
Charlie loved his wife and family, country, Christmas and his cat. He was selected for an Honor Flight from Charlotte North Carolina, to Washington DC to commemorate his service to his country. Covid 19 prevented travel but he was honored to be considered. Charlie rescued several cats and loved his feline companion Molly, who occupied his lap and adored him.
Charlie is survived by his wife Kenny (Kennetha) Alice McCarthy of Mooresville North Carolina. He is survived by his youngest brother Cliff (Herbert Clifford) O'Hara and his wife Joyce, and his younger sister Patricia Lorenzi and her husband David, all of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Charlie is survived by his children, his daughter Kathleen O'Hara of Burbank California, and his son, Christopher O'Hara and his wife Kelly, of Glenview Illinois. Charlie had five grandchildren, Tommy, Kylie, Alison, Ryan, and Connor, who he adored. Charlie had two stepchildren, Amie Elizabeth McCarthy of Arlington Virginia, and David Donald Strang of Charleston South Carolina.
Due to the current environment and national health crisis, a celebration of his life will take place at a later date, when its safe for friends and family to gather safely. In lieu of flowers, family and friends may donate to:
Disabled Veterans American Organization
https://www.dav.org
PO Box 14301
Cincinnati, OH 45250 - 0301
Lake Norman Humane Society
704-663-3330
https://www.lakenormanhumane.org
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the O'Hara family.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.