Retired pastor dies of heart attack in Mexico

Rome Sentinel 4/12/2006 (back)

The Rev. Robert O’Meara, retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Rome, died Monday while vacationing with his wife, Selma, and his daughter and son-in-law, Jocelen and Brad Pearson, in Cozumel, Mexico. His son, Rick O’Meara, said this morning that a "massive heart attack," was the cause of his father’s death.
O’Meara was 71.

He began working as pastor at First Presbyterian Church in September 1972 and retired last June. "He was enjoying his retirement to the fullest," his son said. A very active and visible personality in the community, O’Meara is mourned today by many who knew him.
"There are so many lives he touched, and it is a shock to the family and to everyone, but the Lord called him home," Rick O’Meara said.
O’Meara had gone deep sea diving while in Mexico, however, his son explained that his death was not a direct result of the dives. "The autopsy results were that he had advanced coronary artery disease," O’Meara said, "It was ruled a natural death."
O’Meara offered praise to the emergency response personnel in Mexico. "Things were very well handled down there. Every effort was made to revive him. and they did an excellent job." He also said that his sister, who has been trained in CPR as a first responder, assisted in rescue efforts.

"The one thing I always treasured about Bob was his willing spirit," said the Rev. Jeffrey Childs, president of the Rome Clergy Association. "He always had a smile and a kind word to say.”He was very welcoming to me when I came to Rome, and as the president of the clergy association I appreciated that."
Raymond Tucker, president of the Board of Trustees at First Presbyterian Church, spoke for its membership this morning. "The congregation is deeply saddened at the lost of Rev. O’Meara," Tucker said. "We enjoyed 33 wonderful years with Bob and gave him a great send off last year at his retirement. We all wished Bob could have had a longer retirement to spend with his wife Selma, as well as his children and grandchildren. While we are mourning the loss of a leader and dear friend, we are comforted by the thought that he is with our dear Lord who he served for so many years."
"In the last nine months he did more than some people did in a lifetime," O’Meara said of his father. "He was enjoying his grandchildren and enjoying being with my mother."

The family is making arrangements with the Prince-Boyd & Hyatt Home for Funerals, Inc.