James "Jim" P. O'Hearn

James Paul O'Hearn passed away at his home in Bath, New Hampshire, on February 14th, surrounded by his loved ones. Jim was raised in Spring Lake on the Jersey Shore, in an Irish Catholic family. His childhood family vacations to Maine sparked his thirst for adventure and deepened his connection with nature. Drawn to the peacefulness and rugged beauty of the Northeast, he moved to New Hampshire in 1986. He became intrigued by Buddhism, which fit so well with his awareness of impermanence and desire to connect with the present moment. In July 2008, he was honored to receive six days of teachings from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He dedicated his life to helping others and pursuing his passions. His thirst for knowledge and encyclopedic mind were inspiring to those around him. His ability to absorb and synthesize information made him a fascinating conversationalist.

He earned his Master of Education degree with a focus in counseling at Plymouth State University in 2007. He worked for many years as a drug and alcohol counselor and psychotherapist. He served on the Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals. He worked with the specialty courts of the New Hampshire Judicial Branch and for our community mental health center. Later in his career, he worked in private practice, allowing him to dedicate more time to his family and his interests. Jim truly lived with a sense of purpose and curiosity, finding meaning in everything he did. He enjoyed hiking, reading, playing guitar, traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. 

He is survived by his other half, Sarah Davis; their daughter, Abigail O'Hearn; his step-son, Tyler Roden; his sister, Roxane, and her husband, Jim; his sister, Suzanne; his sister, Kris, and her husband, Hugh; his niece, Nicole; his sister, Marianne, and her husband, Mike; his niece, Mae; his nephew, Michael; his friend, Barbara Kiraly, and many other dear friends and family.

He is predeceased by his father, Paul T. O'Hearn; his mother, Pat O'Hearn; his sister-in-law, Deborah Gates-Kane; and his infant brother, "Tommy."

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, April 14, at 5:00 PM and the funeral service will follow at 6:00 PM at the Pillsbury Phaneuf Funeral Home, 101 Union Street, Littleton, NH.

Please advocate for early detection of prostate cancer and embrace loving-kindness toward yourself and others, in memory of Jim.