Former CBC broadcaster and local volunteer John O'Mara, 63, passed away Sunday in hospital in St. John's after a brief illness.

O'Mara began his career with the CBC as an announcer in Corner Brook in 1964 and later moved to St. John's. After 20 years in the business, O'Mara worked his way to the top job at CBC Radio in Newfoundland and Labrador, serving as director of radio for nine years.

John O'Mara, 63, former CBC broadcaster and local volunteer, died Sunday in St. John's.
(O'Mara family)

During his time with CBC, he hosted many programs and specials for both radio and television, including On the Go, Newfoundland and Labrador's weekday afternoon radio current events program, which he hosted from 1973 to 1975. He also hosted Weekend Arts Magazine from 1976 to 1978, and the popular program, The Fisheries Broadcast, from 1978 to 1979.

Historian and former broadcaster Paul O'Neill was a friend and former co-worker of O'Mara's. On Monday, he spoke with CBC Morning Show host Jeff Gilhooly about O'Mara, and the legacy he has left as a well-known broadcaster and local community volunteer.

O'Neill told CBC that O'Mara's volunteer projects were too numerous to mention.

"Most active volunteer person I think I ever knew in Newfoundland," O'Neill said. "You could hardly mention something that John wasn't involved in in some way."

Most notably, O'Mara was an active volunteer, since 1978, with the Royal St. John's Regatta Committee, on which he served as a longtime archivist, among other positions.

The Royal St. John's Regatta is a historic annual rowing event at Quidi Vidi Lake in St. John's. In August 2007, the regatta celebrated its 189th anniversary.

"John was a volunteer in just about anything you can think of," O'Neill said. "He liked to sing, he was a good singer and he appeared in some of the musicals we did here." O'Mara also sat on several drama and theatre boards in the province.

Gilhooly also worked with O'Mara. He said he always appreciated O'Mara's local knowledge and knack for storytelling.

"He told great stories, in fact he was my first choice when we were going to leave the Duckworth Street building because he had fascinating bits about the people and the place," Gilhooly said. "And here we are, three months later and he's gone."

O'Mara was a guest on one of the last broadcasts from the historic Capital Theatre building and former home of CBC Radio in Newfoundland and Labrador in downtown St. John's.

Gilhooly also said he remembers O'Mara as a good boss.

"When I first came here, he was the big boss, and he was tremendously open, and that surprised me," Gilhooly said.

Both O'Neill and Gilhooly said they believe O'Mara will be remembered in the community as an extraordinary volunteer who was generous with his thoughts and time.