Obituary: Michael James O'Hara

With sadness we report that Michael James O’Hara, aged 57, died suddenly at home on 4th September 2007. Mike O'Hara was quite a strong chessplayer, being about 200 strength, but he never had a burning ambition to fulfil his potential at the game. He was an accountant by profession and lectured on this subject. He preferred in chess administration not to be involved with being a treasurer, feeling that would be too much of sa good thing, and held other offices. He was one of a group of people who made Bolton such a power-house of chess in the 1970s-90s.

He was a long-standing member of the British Chess Federation Management Board as an NCCU Delegate. His interests and advice though were valuable throughout all aspects of chess administration. Unusually, he was Treasurer of the British Chess Championships for many years when I ran the congress and his help and trenchant views were very valuable.
Our condolences to his family.

The funeral cortege will leave from Shaw & Son Funeral Directors, The Old Parsonage, 20 Park Street, Bolton BL1 4BD on Monday 17 September at 14:15. The service and committal will be at Overdale Chapel at 14:30. Family flowers only please, if you wish to make a donation please make cheques payable to Mind, c/o Shaw & Son, tel: 01204 526 218.

Stewart Reuben