Tributes paid to popular Derry pharmacist Eddie O’Hare

Tributes have been paid to much respected local Chemist, Eddie O’Hare, husband to the late Sally O’Hare, of Oakfield Road, Derry. Eddie died peacefully at home, surrounded by family on March 14, aged 93.

Eddie was well known throughout the City of Derry where he worked as a pharmacist. He was the middle born of three brothers, Eugene, Edward, and Jack.

Eugene and Eddie, both pharmacists, owned and managed O’Hare’s Chemists in Creggan Street, Aaron Court in Creggan, Eglington and later at Great James Street, Derry.

When Eddie qualified, he was the youngest pharmacist in Northern Ireland to do so and had to wait until his 21st birthday in order to practise professionally as a Chemist.

Eddie served the greater Derry community both professionally in the Chemist and vocationally by enlisting in the Red Cross during the troubles, where he aided and supported many injured during those years.

Eddie and Sally, both keen sports’ fans, first met playing tennis at the Claris and Alpha Tennis Club in the Brandywell.

Eddie also played for ‘Sean Dolan’s’ GAA Gaelic team as goalkeeper in the early 1950’s and was called to play for County Derry Minors on a few occasions; he was a keen supporter of the Derry City Soccer team all his life.

Eddie married Sally (Nee Coyle) of Donegal Street, Derry on 19th April 1955. They were both people of strong Faith and attended St. Eugene’s Cathedral throughout their lives. 

Eddie with his late wife Sally O'Hare

They raised a family of seven, Marianne, Fiona, Paul (died tragically on 18th August 1976), Andrea, Keith, Mark, and Gareth. They had twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Eddie’s other passions included Bridge and Art both of which he shared with Sally. He was a member of the City of Derry Bridge Club and the North West Bridge Club playing in numerous competitions and congresses with good success.

Many of his bridge friends became lifelong friends whom he enjoyed time with over the years including playing in the ‘Irish Bridge Congress’ on the continent on many occasions. Seamus Donaghy, Master Point’s’ secretary to the City of Derry Bridge club, stated: “I have results sheets going back nearly forty years and Eddie and Sally figure prominently in many of them.

"They both won more than their fair share of cups and were always jovial and popular opponents. Eddie was, by far, the oldest surviving member of the club.”

Sean Dolan’s soccer team. Eddie O’Hare centre back.

After retirement, Eddie took up art in his mid-60s with Sally, both were active members of Foyle U3A and were tutored by the late John McDaid, a well-known local artist. Eddie had undoubted talent, working initially in oils and latterly in acrylics.

The walls of the family home and those of friends and family are adorned with their paintings.

Brothers Eugene and Eddie O’Hare with employee Marion Wilson in O’Hare’s Chemist, Great James Street.

Eddie was an astute businessman; his professional expertise was second to none. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and neighbours.

The city of Derry will be a poorer place without him.

Eddie'e funeral will be leaving his home, 20 Oakfield Road, Derry, on Monday, 18th March at 9.20am to St. Eugene’s Cathedral for Requiem Mass at 10.00am. Interment afterwards in the City Cemetery.