Richard D. Holahan
October 4, 1937 - August 1, 2021
Richard Drew Holahan, age 83, beloved husband, father, and Papa, passed away at his home in Fairfield on August 1. Born in Bridgeport on October 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.
His wit, zeal for life, perseverance, and steadfastness will be forever remembered by his beloved wife of 49 years, Susan; his loving children, Kathleen (Chad) Youngman of Purcellville, VA, and Margaret Holahan of Nottingham, MD; his adored grandsons, Chase and Connor Youngman; his siblings Margaret (Robert) Bilek of Fairfield, Dennis Holahan of Portola Valley, CA, and Mary Woolever of Brooklyn, NY; and several caring nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, James.
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.
The family wishes to acknowledge the invaluable support and assistance of Vitas (hospice) services, and especially Allison, Bindu, and Ruth.
Because of recent Covid concerns, services and interment were private. The Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East, Westport, was entrusted with arrangements. Dick will be memorialized when family and friends can safely gather to celebrate his life. To offer online condolences, please visit https://www.hardingfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Richard Holahan to VITAS Healthcare at http:// www.vitascommunityconnection.org or by mail 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 at http://mskcc. convio.net/goto/holahan or by mail to: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Attn: Rachel Flannery, Office of Development, PO Box 27106, New York, NY 10087.