George M. O'Hara, Jr.

George M. O’Hara, Jr., 82, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and South Dartmouth, Massachusetts passed away on Saturday April 18, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Christine L. (Paltrineri) O’Hara with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.

Born in East Boston, he was the eldest of four children, born to the late George O’Hara Sr. and Barbara (Campbell) O’Hara. He grew up in Marlboro and Wellesley and attended St John’s Preparatory School where he formed his closest lifelong friendships. The family moved to the Dartmouth area in 1958. and established the automotive dealership, George O’Hara Chevrolet-Cadillac Inc. The dealership originally started by his father was maintained and later owned by George Jr. until 1992, when he developed the Stop and Shop Plaza which sits on the site of the former dealership at Kings Highway in New Bedford.

He was the former President of the New England Chevrolet Dealers Advertising Association, and a member of The Allendale Country Club and the New Bedford Yacht Club.

George had a true appreciation for antique cars and enjoyed collecting Corvettes. He loved boating in Padanaram, Cuttyhunk, Quick’s Hole, Mattapoisett, Nonquitt and later in Florida along the intracoastal and the Palm Beach area, with family and friends. He spent many wonderful winters in Waterville Estates, New Hampshire with friends and family where he took up skiing and more importantly had endless hours of laughter and good cheer.

George and Christine retired to Palm Beach Gardens for most of the year where they formed wonderful new friendships while maintaining life long and new friendships in Dartmouth, often saying how lucky they were to have such wonderful neighbors and friends in each of the areas.

George’s life was centered around his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, and his brother and sisters. He was always the quiet, behind the scenes support of everyone he loved and numerous community events. He will remain forever in the hearts of the family and friends he left behind.

He is survived by his wife Christine; his children, Cynthia O’Hara, George O’Hara III and his partner Helia Vasconcelos, and Shawn O’Hara; his grandchildren, Lauren O’Hara, Ashley (O’Hara) Mattos and her husband Brandon Mattos, Gary Hamel Jr. and his partner Victoria Christy , Joshua O’Hara and his partner Ariana Comeau, Jacob O’Hara and his partner Kaitlin Oliveira, and Annie O’Hara; his great-grandchildren, Devin Perry, Makenzie Fitzgerald, Dante Rosa Jr., Malikai O’Hara, Hannah Mattos, and Fiona Mattos; his siblings, Barbara O’Hara, Patricia O’Hara, and John O’Hara and his wife Kimberly (Stackpole) O’Hara; numerous nieces, nephews and brothers and sisters-in-law, as well as his beloved dog Lilly.

He was predeceased by his grandson, Ian Barlow and his daughter-in-law, Tamara (Lukowitz) O’Hara.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Friday April 24th at 10AM at St. Mary’s Church, South Dartmouth. Burial in Riverside Cemetery will be private. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday April 23rd from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.