By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — The McCarthy family operated Olean Business Institute for 52 years before it closed in August 2013,
Founder Daniel R. McCarthy directed the school for 10 years and his son Patrick J. McCarthy led OBI for 25 years before he retired.
Olean Business Institute helped over 1,000 area residents obtain associate degrees for office administrators, accountants, paralegals and other business support staff.
On Friday, McCarthy family members and friends gathered at Laine Place, the former OBI Building now owned by the Olean Business Development Corp., for the unveiling of a display commemorating the McCarthys’ contributions via the local business school.
Steve McClain, vice chairman of Olean Business Development Corp., which owns the former Olean Business Institute building, spoke during a brief ceremony during which several plaques acknowledging and celebrating the McCarthy family’s contributions through the OBI building.
McClain said the commemorative display came about by happenstance when Jean McCarthy, daughter of Daniel McCarthy stopped by OBDC on an errand. It had been years since she was in the building. Working with OBDC executive director Robert Forness, Jean, her brother Jim McCarthy provided material that was incorporated into the display located on the wall inside the front door.
“It brought back a lot of bittersweet memories,” Jean said of leafing through old OBI scrapbooks. “We collected everything we had and sifted through it. It was a team effort. It is so exciting to see how the building has been renovated and how it is being used now.”
Pat McCarthy’s wife, Judi recalls coming to Olean before the Flood of 1972. She met Pat in Albany and came to Olean where they married and raised a family. She went on to teach at OBI for 13 years and later worked in the administration. “The recognition is fabulous.”
Students at OBI went on to business careers in the community and around the world, Judi said. The business school not only catered to young students, but also to older residents looking for a second career in life.
The McCarthy family members were given a tour of the renovated facility that is now home to several nonprofits groups and works to develop the next generation of businesses and entrepreneurs.
The tour included the basement, which used to be like a student union at OBI music and pool tables. Midway across one wall is a doorway that has been filled in with concrete blocks. It was reportedly the entrance to a tunnel that went under North Union Street to a speakeasy on the east side of the street.
McClain said, “Through their efforts as leaders and teachers, Dan and Pat had tremendous economic, social and economic impacts on the Olean region, Southern Tier and beyond. Their dedication, vision and determination will long be remembered for their efforts and contributions to the business community and the lives of people they touched.”
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All Rights Reserved. Star News LLC. Eric M. Firkel.
