BANGOR and BREWER – Dr. John S. Houlihan, 93, died Aug. 15, 2008, at his home in Bangor. He was born June 13, 1915, in Bangor, son of Joseph E. and Katherine (Sheehan) Houlihan. John was educated in Bangor schools, graduating from John Baptst High School in 1932. In 1936 he graduated from College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass., with a Bachelor of Science degree. He entered Georgetown University Medical School that fall and graduated with his degree in medicine in 1940. From 1940 to 1942, John served his internship and residency years at Eastern Maine General Hospital, now Eastern Maine Medical Center. His time as a doctor in Bangor was to be interrupted. In June 1942, Dr. Houlihan enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to battle zone Medical Units in North Africa and Italy, and was awarded the Silver Star. Dr. Houlihan was discharged with the rank of major in February 1946. Upon returning to Bangor, he rejoined the staff of Eastern Maine Medical Center and also served on the staff at St. Joseph Hospital since its inception. He was in private practice in Bangor until 1983. If you grew up in Bangor in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, chances are very good that you or a member of your family had some contact with Dr. John S. Houlihan. He was the quintessential family doctor, at a time when medical specialty was only a term-he did it all. There were office hours, hospital rounds and house calls in the wee hours of the morning. He delivered babies, sutured wounds, treated every ailment imaginable and helped his patients in so many other ways. His was a life of service, often above and beyond. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, and the Maine and American Medical associations. In 1943 he married Margaret Reid of Brewer. In addition to his wife of 65 years, Margaret, Dr. Houlihan is survived by their five children, John of Beverly, Mass., Margaret Dougherty of Yarmouth and Sarasota, Fla., Betty of Bangor and Sarasota, Fla., Claire Baker of Hooksett, N.H., and Eileen Garvey of Bow, N.H.; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at Brookings-Smith, Clark-Piper Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 207 York St., Bangor, with the Rev. Timothy Nadeau, celebrant. Interment will be at Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Bangor. Those who wish may make gifts in his memory to St. Joseph Healthcare, P.O. Box 1638, Bangor, ME 04402-1638. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
JOHN S. HOULIHAN, M.D.
