Richard Drew Holahan, age 83, beloved husband, father, and Papa, passed away at his home in Fairfield on Aug. 1.
Richard Holahan, 83, passed away Aug. 1. His funeral an interment were private. A memorial service will be scheduled.
Born in Bridgeport on Oct. 4, 1937, son of the late James J. and Mary Drew Holahan, he grew up in Darien. He was a resident of Fairfield for 45 years.
Dick was a graduate of Darien High School, Class of 1955, and the Gunnery School (now the Frederick Gunn School), and attended Lehigh University.
He served in the Army National Guard, and was a proud member of the Noroton Volunteer Fire Department in Darien. He was named Fireman of the Year in 1982, received a special service award in 1996, and recently was honored by the NFD for his 60 years of service.
An estimator for Darien Asphalt Paving for many years, he started his own business, County Construction, with partners William Walsh and Lou Ochsendorf, in 1978. He retired in 2003.
He had a huge heart filled with charm, humor, kindness — and mischief. He loved his friends, a good laugh, and most of all his family. Dick was incredibly proud of his two children, Katie and Meg. His greatest joy was seeing them find their own paths to success. And he treasured beyond measure the time he was able to spend with his two amazing grandsons.
His wit, zeal for life, perseverance, and steadfastness will be forever remembered by Susan, his beloved wife of 49 years; his loving children, Kathleen (Chad) Youngman of Purcellville, Virginia; and Margaret Holahan of Nottingham, Marylan; his adored grandsons, Chase and Connor Youngman; his siblings, Margaret (Robert) Bilek of Fairfield, Dennis Holahan of Portola Valley, California, and Mary Woolever of Brooklyn, New York; and several caring nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, James.
The family wishes to acknowledge the invaluable support and assistance of Vitas (hospice) services, and especially Allison, Bindu, and Ruth.
Because of recent COVID-19 concerns, services and interment were private. Dick will be memorialized when family and friends can safely gather to celebrate his life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Richard Holahan to VITAS Community Connection, PO Box 645352, Cincinnati, OH 45264-5352, or to the Arden Norris and Mary Cecelia Witherwax Foundation Fund for sarcoma research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Attn: Rachel Flannery, Office of Development, PO Box 27106, New York, NY 10087.
— an obituary from Harding Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left