James B.J. Hoar

HOLYOKE: James Bernard Joseph (BJ) Hoar, age 83, died at home on Sunday, March 3, 2019. James was born in Holyoke, son of the late John and Anna (O’Sullivan) Hoar and was educated in Holyoke schools. He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. James was retired from the Holyoke Gas & Electric and served as Deputy Chief of Internal Affairs for the Holyoke Auxiliary Police Department. Jim was a man of great faith, and was very passionate about his Irish heritage. He traveled to Ireland many times. Jim was an active member of the American Legion, John Boyle O’Reilly Club, Irish Cultural Center, the 40/8 Club, and served as Commissioner of the Holyoke War Memorial. James was a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, delivering communion weekly at the Holyoke Soldier’s Home. He is survived by his sister, Mary Armata of South Windsor, CT; brother-in-law, Al Durocher of Brewster, MA; and 3 loving children: Maureen O’Donnell of Florida, Kathryn O’Donnell (and her son Luc Hoffman) of North Carolina, and David O’Donnell and his wife, Masami Narizuka of Japan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his siblings: brothers, Francis Hoar (wife Diane) and Jack Hoar (wife Verda), and sister, Tessie Durocher. The funeral will be held Tuesday, March 12 at 10:15 am from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:15 am in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will follow at 1:00 pm in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam. Calling hours are Monday, March 11 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holyoke Veterans Services Department, 310 Appleton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.

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