Dennis Michael Houlihan's Obituary
Methuen – Dennis Michael Houlihan, 77 of Methuen, passed away on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston. He was the beloved husband of Elaine M. Houlihan, to whom he was married for 56 years.
Born in Middle Village, NY, Dennis was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Stanwick) Houlihan. He graduated from Floral Park Memorial High School in Floral Park, NY, class of 1961. He received his bachelor’s degree from Fitchburg State College. Dennis proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He worked as a high school teacher at Shawsheen Technical High School in Billerica, where he taught heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, until his retirement.
Dennis was a former member of the Knights of Columbus of Methuen and the Elks Lodge of Lawrence. He enjoyed singing and entertaining and did so for all of his life. He sang in a duo group with his wife Elaine, called “Me and My Mrs.” and performed throughout the Merrimack Valley that in the 1970’s and 1980’s called. He also sang in a duo group with his son, Kevin, called “Generations.” He played on St. Patrick’s Day for 30 years at Cappy’s Copper Kettle in Lowell. He also enjoyed boating and was involved in cleaning up the Merrimack River. He donated many hours of his time providing educational tours on the Merrimack River and teaching in the classroom about the River, where he lived as well. He especially loved spending time with his 6 grandchildren.
Dennis will be deeply missed by his wife, Elaine; his son, Kevin Houlihan, and his wife, Lynn, of Franklin, MA; 2 daughters, Lisa Ashdown, and her husband, Chip, of Londonderry, NH and Cristen Karamourtopoulos and her husband, Paul, of East Hampstead, NH; 6 grandchildren, Brittany, Paul, Tori, Cassandra, Molly, and Kathleen; 2 sisters, Carol Houlihan, of Creedmoore, NC and Jeanne Houlihan of New Jersey; and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor and celebrate Dennis’s life by gathering for his calling hours on Friday, March 5, 2021 from 4 – 7 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday at St. Francis Church, 115 Wheeler Road, Dracut. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, face masks will be required at the funeral home and the church, and social distancing must be followed. If you have a health or other underlying concern, please do not attend. Dennis’s family will understand and respect your decision.
Memorial contributions can be made to Pan-Mass Challenge, c/o Steven Sacco 02190-8, 77 Fourth Avenue, Needham, MA 02494. To send an online condolence, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Houlihan family.
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