Walter D. O'Hearn

One of Canada's most distinguished journalists, Walter Donald Anthony O'Hearn was known for his versatility, which allowed him to write book reviews for The New York Times, do analytical reporting from the United Nations and produce whimsical pieces about two imaginary Irish women-Mrs. Harrigan and Mrs. Mulchay-discussing the vital issues of the day.

Mr. O'Hearn, who was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, begat his career in 1929 as a reporter for The Halifax Herald. He came to Montreal in 1932 and joined the now-defunct Montreal Herald as an assistant editor. He became managing editor two years later and held this post until 1940. He brought his talent for treating serious subjects with a light touch to The Standard in 1940, writing a column on a wide variety of topics.

Mr. O'Hearn served in the Canadian Navy during World War II, and a year after his discharge in 1945 was sent to New York as resident correspondent of The Star. He was a founding member and first president of the United Nations Correspondents Association. While at the United Nations, Mr. O'Hearn wrote; two books-published by the, Canadian Institute for international Affairs in cooperation with the Carnegie Foundation --"United Nations' Struggle for Peace" and "Canada Stands Up."

On returning to Montreal in 1953, he became literary and drama editor of The Star and in 1958 was made managing editor. In 1964 he was made executive editor and last year he became a director of the company. Selections of Mr. O'Hearn's weekly column in The Star's entertainment section were published in a book under two names — "Lady Chatterley, Latterly" and "The Member From Pasquobit."

Mr. O'Hearn was in wide demand as a speaker, particularly because of his insight and understanding of what he considered one of the most important stories in North America — the rise of French nationalism in Quebec. He had a deep feeling for the cause of French cultural identity in Canada. He served four terms as director of The Canadian Press, was an officer of the Corporation des Quotidiens du Quebec Quebec Dailies, Inc.), and a member of The Montreal Arts council.

His first wife, the former Mary McGrath, had a son, Walter Jr., a lawyer in New York, and three daughters, Eileen, Catherine and Julia. His second wife, the former Dorothy Fletcher, and their two sons, Michael (deceased) and Peter.