Memorable Manitobans: Michael O’Hara (1889-?)

Banker.

Born at Wiarton, Ontario on 15 March 1889, he was supervisor of 59 branches of the Royal Bank of Canada from the Head of the Lakes to the Saskatchewan border. O’Hara moved west to Calgary in 1912 after working as a teller and accountant in Hepworth, Drayton and Arthur, Ontario. In Calgary, he worked at Traders Bank shortly before it was taken over by Royal Bank. From 1916-1919, he moved between Montreal, Winnipeg and Toronto returning to Winnipeg in 1919 to open the Main and Logan branch of the Royal Bank. In 1926, he was back in Montreal. He eventually came to Winnipeg in March of 1937 to head the Portage Avenue branch. Seven years later he became manager of the Main Street branch, an establishment he began to supervise in April 1946.

He held memberships in the St. Charles Country Club, Manitoba Club, and Motor Country Club, and Fellowship Club. A member of the council of the Chamber of Commerce, he also served as vice-president of the Community Chest and on the provincial committee of the Boy Scout’s Association. He enjoyed golfing and fishing.

Sources:

“Open-door Mike,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18? September 1948. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B10 page 49]

This profile was prepared by Sarah Ramsden.

Profile revised: 30 June 2010

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