Father D. Timothy O’Mara, 69, Blackstone pastor

Father Dennis Timothy O’Mara, 69, pastor of St. Paul Parish in Blackstone since 2011, died March 3 at Landmark Medical Center, Woonsocket, Rhode Island. 

 He was born the son of George J. O’Mara and Josephine (Papagni) O’Mara, on April 7, 1951, in Worcester. 

He graduated from Oxford High School in 1969 and matriculated at Worcester
State College. He left Worcester State in 1970 to join the U.S. Army, where he served as a flight coordinator in Korea during the Vietnam conflict. 

He was discharged from the Army in 1976. That same year, he married Theresa Valencourt. The couple, whose marriage was annulled in the 1990s, had a son, Ryan J. O’Mara, in 1978.  

He worked for more than 15 years in the fiber optics industry and later as a social worker for physically and mentally handicapped people. He resumed his college studies, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1999. 

The next year, he entered Blessed John XXIII Seminary, where he earned a master of divinity degree. 

He was ordained to the transitional diaconate on June 7, 2003, and served his internship at St. Mary Parish in Uxbridge. 

He was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 2004, in St. Paul Cathedral, by Bishop Robert J. McManus. 

His first assignment was as associate pastor at St. Leo Parish in Leominster. From 2008-2011 he was associate pastor at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Westborough. He was named pastor of St. Paul Parish in Blackstone July 1, 2011. While remaining pastor there, he was administrator of St. Theresa Parish in Blackstone for one year beginning July 1, 2014. 

Father O'Mara was very active in many organizations including the Knights of Columbus with whom he was a 4th Degree Knight and he also started the Knights of Columbus chapters at St. Paul and St. Theresa parishes. He was the chaplain of the McSweeney Assembly #400, he was a Scoutmaster and was an avid motorcyclist. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion. 

“I became friends with Father a number of years ago when he was assigned to St. Luke’s,” said John Laurence. He said he joined St. Paul’s in Blackstone after Father O’Mara was transferred. 

Mr. Laurence said he loved the priest’s ministry to bikers.  

“He loved riding,” he said. “He was chaplain for a number of motorcycle groups.… They came for the blessing of the bikes he would do.  

“He really drew so many people from all different backgrounds,  even those who didn’t believe in God, because he was so down to earth.… He showed everyone love.… He reminded me of the way Jesus loved.... That’s why so many people in the motorcycle world took to him.” 

Because of Father O’Mara’s background as a social worker “he knew how to reach the unreachable,” Mr. Laurence said. 

“The veterans loved him so, so much,” he said, in reference to another group the priest reached; having friends who were prisoners of war or missing in action, he was especially sympathetic to that “cause.”   

Many, if not most, others from St. Paul’s were also close to their pastor, Mr. Laurence said; “there’s a lot of mourning going on here.” Mr. Laurence flew in from his home in Texas upon learning of Father O’Mara’s death. 

He had kept in touch from there with “Padre,” as Father O’Mara invited people to call him. His motorcycle license plate even bore the name “Padre,” Mr. Laurence said. 

Father O’Mara leaves his son Ryan J. O'Mara and his wife, Heather of Mililani, Hawaii, and his cherished grandson Rory F. O'Mara. He is the brother of George and Joseph O'Mara, Kathy Simonelli and Karen Wilson and her husband, Paul. He leaves his nieces and nephews. 

The wake for Father O'Mara will be held in St. Paul’s Church, 48 St. Paul St., Blackstone, on Thursday, March 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. followed by a prayer vigil concluding at 7:30 p.m.   

Father O'Mara's funeral will take place in St. Paul’s Church on Friday, March 12, at 11 a.m. Bishop McManus will be presiding. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery, Worcester, and it is to be private. 

  As a reminder, with COVID restrictions still in place, face masks and social distancing are mandatory. Consequently, seating in the church will be limited accordingly. Individuals living in the same household may sit together as usual.   

  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stained Glass Window Repair Project in memory of Father O'Mara, payable to the St. Paul's Endowment Fund, 48 St. Paul St., Blackstone 01504.  

Arrangements are under the direction of Cartier's Funeral Home, 151 So. Main St., Bellingham, MA.  To sign a guest book visit www.cartiersfuneralhome.com