Hugh R. O'Mara, age 86, of Stowell, PA passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at his home after a long battle with congestive heart failure.

Hugh was born on June 1, 1928 the only child of the late Robert and Anne Collins O'Mara. He graduated from Wyalusing High School with the class of 1946 where he played baseball and basketball. He was also a catcher for the Wyalusing town teams for a number of years.

He proudly served his country in the US Air Force from 1950-1954 and was a veteran of the Korean War. Hugh was a member of the 19th Bomb Group, 30th Bomb Squadron and served as a tailgunner on B-29 bombers. He flew 29 missions over North Korea. He packed more adventure in his four years in the Air Force than many people do in a lifetime. He also flew on B-36s.

He returned to Wyalusing after his Air Force service and looked up the "girl in the pink shorts" he had first seen at Puss Mann's soda fountain. He and Beverly Keeney were married in 1955. She was his beloved wife, life partner, and dance partner for 42 years until her untimely, too early passing in 1997. Together they raised their two children, Kathleen and Mike, during their years together. They lived in Sugar Run. In 2001 Hugh moved from Sugar Run to the old O'Mara homestead in Stowell . He retired after 34 years from GTE Sylvania (now Osram).

Hugh was a faithful, lifelong communicant at St. Mary's of the Assumption Church of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and St. Anthony's Catholic Church. He was a lector for over 25 years. He was a long time member of the Wyalusing Ambulance Association taking his turn as an ambulance driver, as well as the Wyalusing American Legion Post # 534.

In the early 60s he was the coach of the Wyalusing Teener baseball team. He was the very first coach of the Wyalusing 5th and 6th grade flag football team even though he didn't know a football play from a recipe. "Just let em run around" he'd say in lieu of actual plays.

To say Hughie was a dedicated and avid hunter and outdoorsman would not be saying nearly enough. He loved to hunt and hike. He hunted deer, bear, coyotes, bobcat, foxes, small game, turkeys, and elk. He was hunting regularly well into the last year of his life. He especially enjoyed coyote hunting with the Spring Hill Coyote Hunting gang. He called in and shot his last gobbler just a couple of years ago. He was still getting his deer every year well into his 80s. He hunted in New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, New York, Vermont, and Washington and particularly enjoyed his many annual hunting trips to Maine. He was a member of the Broschart Lodge Hunting Club. He hiked the rugged Chilkoot Trail in Alaska, first trod by the Yukon gold miners, at age 70. Hugh enjoyed traveling having visited Ireland several times, Hawaii, and many stateside destinations. He had the benefit of many visits and family vacations with his Northwest family especially enjoying vacations in the states of Washington, Montana, and Alaska and Quadra Island in British Columbia. Hugh took great pleasure in his Irish heritage, and dancing his way through, many local Irish festivals. He was very involved in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He had a knack for friendship and had a host of many long time friends and hunting partners.

Hugh is survived by his children Kathleen (Gary) Ferguson of Stowell, PA Mike (Valerie) O'Mara of Seattle, WA; his grandchildren Molly Ferguson, Kerry Hitchcock, John O'Mara, Caitlin O'Mara, and Keegan O'Mara; his great-grandchildren Allie and Sophie Vanderpool, and Owen Hitchcock. He is also survived by his long time companion Marian Timson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the St. Mary's of the Assumption Church in Wyalusing, PA with Father Joseph Manarchuck officiating. Interment will follow at the Wyalusing Borough Cemetery with graveside military honors conducted by the member of the Wyalusing American Legion Post #534. Family and friends may call at the Sheldon Funeral Home, 155 Church St., Wyalusing, PA on Friday, October 17, 2014 from 4:00-7:00 P.M.

Online condolences may be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers those wishing may make memorial donations in Hugh's name to the Wyalusing Valley Museum Association, PO Box 301, Wyalusing, PA 18853.