The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

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November 17, 2009

James ‘Jim’ Lawrence O’Toole Sr.

Active here, former Sharon postmaster served in D.C.

KENSINGTON, Md. — James “Jim” Lawrence O’Toole Sr., Kensington, formerly of Sharon, passed away Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, in his residence after a period of failing health. He was 92.

Mr. O’Toole was born Feb. 6, 1917, in Sharon and grew up on Harrison Street.

He was a 1937 graduate of Sharon High School; a 1941 graduate of the former Indiana (Pa.) State Teachers College; and a 1948 alumnus of Georgetown University School of Law, Washington, D.C.

He served as a lieutenant with the Naval Air Corps during World War II.

Following his discharge, Jim returned home to Sharon and was the postmaster there from 1950-67.

During that time, he was a member and past president of the Sharon Kiwanis Club and vice chairman of the Sharon Redevelopment Authority. He also served on the board of directors for the American Red Cross, Sharon Community Chest, Shenango Valley United Fund and the F.H. Buhl Club. 

Other memberships included Church of Sacred Heart, Knights of Columbus Council 684, American Legion Post 299 and Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 103, all Sharon.

Jim was president of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association Postmasters of the United States from 1963-65, and was president of the National Association Postmasters of the United States from 1965-66.

He moved to Washington, D.C., in 1967 to become the executive assistant Postmaster General for the U.S. Postal Service. Mr. O’Toole retired in 1975 as the executive director of field programs for Postal Training Management Institute in Bethesda, Md.

Surviving are: his wife at home, the former Jean R. O’Hara, whom he married Feb. 25, 1943; three sons, James L. O’Toole Jr. and his wife Mary, Cape Coral, Fla.; Richard A. O’Toole, Kensington; and Robert A. O’Toole and his wife Melinda, Chevy Chase, Md.; his precious granddaughter, Kelley Marie O’Toole, Cape Coral; and several nieces and nephews. 

Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death by seven siblings, Marie Winters, Pat O’Toole, Winifred Murphy, Anna Gertrude Vasey, Theresa O’Toole, Cecelia Frank and Austin Bernard O’Toole.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Holy Cross Hospice, 11801 Tech Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

O’TOOLE

James “Jim” Lawrence Sr., 92, Kensington, Md., formerly of Sharon.

Calling hours: There are no calling hours. Friends may send condolences by visiting our Web site at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Service: Memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday (11-21-09) in Holy Redeemer Church, 9705 Summit Ave., Kensington.

Arrangements by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

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