John M. O’Mara ’49

Jack, known to his undergraduate friends as “Omar,” died Nov. 26, 2020, in Greenwich, Conn., surrounded by his family.

A native of Cincinnati, he attended The Hill School, and after a year in the Army he joined us in the Class of 1949. A member of Charter and a history major, Jack earned a law degree from the University of Virginia, joined a law firm in Cincinnati, and then moved to New York to become a partner at W.E. Hutton & Co. He joined Merrill Lynch as chairman and CEO of Global Natural Resources and ended his career with Citibank Venture Capital. He served on the board of Fannie Mae from 1970 until 1991, and also served  as a director of Midland Co., Baldwin & Lyons, Global Natural Resources, and OnTrac.

Jack was married to Margot for 58 years. She survives him along with daughters Margot Bush, Meica de Beistegui ’87, and Deirdre ’93; and three grandchildren.

Gregarious by nature and with a host of friends, Jack was a member of many sailing, skiing, and social clubs. He traveled into his 90s and only gave up skiing at the age of 82. We appreciate his life story, and express our sympathy to the entire family.