jim ohare2Joe O’Hare joined the Board of Directors in May 2020. He was born, raised, educated, and currently resides in Holyoke. After college graduation, Joe worked for 30 years as an Operational Manager for Tyco Healthcare and Health New England. Eight years ago he changed his profession to fulltime teacher working with special needs students in Holyoke.

Joe was first introduced to The Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults in 1977, some 42 years ago, and joined a young group of volunteers that helped facilitate the beginning of Jericho’s Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program. Joe’s passion for horses coupled with his interest in helping the local disabled population became a lifelong priority and he has remained a part of the Jericho family to the present day.

As Jericho grew in size with many new programs created for the Western Massachusetts disabled community, Joe also became a volunteer for the Special Religious Education Program, The Jericho Players Theatrical Group as well as helping with the square dance groups and Bingo Fundraisers. He also became an advocate for parents in need of help with their children's religious and liturgical growth.

“Father Wagner and Sr. Joan Magnani played an important part in my teen years as mentors and teachers with my faith with God. They helped me and numerous other teen volunteers shape our moral, ethical, and religious belief systems by their dedication to the critical need for religious education classes and services for people with special needs in Western Massachusetts. Our growth as young adults was positively influenced by the religious growth and inclusion of programs long overdue for the special needs community. My experience working with the special needs population at Jericho was an integral part of my career change as a teacher of students with different abilities. I look forward to working on the Board of Directors and giving back to a community that has blessed my life exponentially."

 

John Tyler

John Tyler

John Tyler lives in Longmeadow, MA with his wife and two daughters. He worked for Marvin Windows...

Read more

Dianne Laramee Henry

Dianne Laramee Henry

Dianne is married to Mike. They have 3 adult daughters and live in Holyoke, Mass. For the last 6...

Read more

Ed Bourgeoise

Ed Bourgeoise

   Ed joined the Jericho Board in 2022. He has been affiliated with Jericho for over 10...

Read more

Bill Page, President

Bill Page, President

Bill was raised in Holyoke.  He first became acquainted with Jericho in 1978 as a volunteer,...

Read more

Jill Tellier

Jill Tellier

Jill lives in Southampton and is married with two daughters. She has been teaching for 24 years and...

Read more

Dan Lawry

Dan Lawry

Dan Lawry joined the Jericho Board in 2002. Over the years he has served as a past President and is...

Read more

Ray Hershel

Ray Hershel

Ray Hershel is the dean of Western Massachusetts television journalists.Ray Hershel is the dean of...

Read more

Tina Edwards

Tina Edwards

Tina was born and raised in Holyoke, attending Blessed Sacrament and Holyoke Catholic High School,...

Read more

Joe O'Hare

Joe O'Hare

Joe O’Hare joined the Board of Directors in May 2020. He was born, raised, educated, and currently...

Read more

­