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Frank O'Hara, 65, a resident of Albuquerque since 1971 died on Saturday, December 22, 2001 after a long illness. Frank was born in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland on October 7, 1936 to Albert and Roseana Sweeney O'Hara, both of whom have preceded him in death. He was also predeceased by his brothers Joseph, John and David O'Hara and his sisters, Mary McFarlane and Rita Friel, his"American Dad" Louis Felder, and his very good friends, Edmundo Delgado and Richard Salazar. He is survived by his brother, Albert O'Hara; sisters, Rose O'Hara (Sister Mary St. Magnus) and Helen Cooper, all of Glasgow, Scotland. Frank is also survived by his"American Family," who sponsored him when he came to the United States, his Mom, Shilah K. Felder; sister, Shilah F. Radcliffe; and brother, Danny Felder, all of Merritt Island, Florida. Other survivors include include his dear friends, Elena and Edward Sedillo, Gil Apodaca, Connie Salazar, James and Becky Bradshaw, Lee Ann Ortiz and Merris Hall, all of Albuquerque. Frank will be missed by many other friends in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and places as far flung as Arizona, California, Wisconsin and Florida. After completing secondary school in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Frank served in the British Army from June 2, 1955 to May 29, 1957, attaining the rank of Corporal. While in the British Army Frank was stationed at NATO Headquarters in Fontainebleau, France where he became acquainted with a US Army Officer, Louis Felder, and his wife, Shilah. Several years later they sponsored him to immigrate to the United States. Frank came to the United States on October 27, 1961. He joined the US Air Force on August 27, 1962 and completed his first enlistment on August 26, 1966. During his first enlistment Frank got to know New Mexico. He was stationed at Walker AFB, Roswell and often made trips to Santa Fe to visit Ed Delgado and his family . Ed was a friend Frank had made while both lived near Washington, D.C. Later on Frank was stationed at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska where he became a naturalized US citizen on February 18, 1966. During Frank's second enlistment he served in Viet Nam from August 1966 to October, 1968. After Viet Nam, Frank served at several duty stations in the US until his enlistment ended on November 5, 1970. Frank was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. After his military service Frank entered the University of New Mexico, earning his BA in political Science, with a History minor, in the spring of 1977. In 1978 Frank began work at the Albuquerque field office of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department. During his tenure at MVD Frank started a Saint Patrick's Day tradition of serving corned beef and cabbage dinner, which he cooked at home, to his co-workers. Frank retired from MVD at the end of 1997 after 20 years of dedicated service. During retirement Frank was able to travel more. In June, 2000, he visited Ireland where he was able to talk face-to-face with his brother Albert for the first time in nearly 40 years. In July 2001, returned to Scotland to attend family celebrations. Frank also made many trips to Florida to visit the Felders and to attend Major League Baseball spring training. He was a Yankee fan but he enjoyed many seasons of watching the Albuquerque Dukes at the Sports Stadium with the"first base crowd." He especially relished kibitzing with the late Pat McKernan and his son, young Pat. Frank was well-read and was very knowledgeable about military and political history and ancient Egypt. Frank's other interests included competitive tomato growing, music and art and argumentation. Frank mentioned on many occasions that he"had been trained by the Jesuits." On many a Friday afternoon he could be found at Jack's Lounge holding court, where some referred to him as"Don Frankie." Frank was also a Life Member of American Legion Post 99 and VFW Post 401 of Albuquerque. Frank has been cremated. His ashes will be interred at the Santa Fe National cemetery on Friday, April 26, 2002. On Saturday, April 27, 2002 we will celebrate Frank's life at American Legion Post 99 in Albuquerque. Exact times for the interment and celebration will be announced in the obituary section of the paper a week prior to their occurrence.
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