Retired JSRCC teacher dies at 73

The 1960s weren't particularly hospitable to the law-enforcement community, but that didn't dampen the drive or the enthusiasm of Patrick Michael O'Hare Sr.

Fresh off a seven-year stint in the Marine Corps, O'Hare, who died Friday at age 73, embarked in 1960 on what would become a 40-year career in criminal justice.

He worked the streets as a Richmond police officer, then shifted to the state Department of Corrections before taking a job teaching at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. He taught at the school for more than 20 years before retiring.

"One thing kind of led to another," said his widow, Carla C. O'Hare.

In the mid-1980s, those things led to the subject of drug testing. While state and federal courts were determining the feasibility of testing, O'Hare was helping shape the debate through courses and seminars he taught and led at Reynolds.

"He was just interested in it," his wife said.

At the time, he thought companies put themselves at risk by not testing because of potential liability issues.

Discussion of right and wrong followed him home, Carla O'Hare said.

"Did we ever talk about law and order in the house?" she asked her youngest son, Kevin, who was nearby during a telephone interview. A quick laugh carried over the phone line.

"Oh, it was definitely talked about," she said.

Mr. O'Hare is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years; three sons, P. Michael O'Hare Jr. and W. Sean O'Hare, both of Prince George County, and J. Kevin O'Hare of Powhatan County; and nine grandchildren.

A funeral is scheduled for Friday at the Chippenham location of the Bliley Funeral Home.