1960 - 2021
On Friday, August 20th, John Joseph Houlihan of St. Albert, Alberta left this earth at the
age of 61 years. To those of us who knew, befriended or loved him, he was Jack.
Jack cherished his family. Carrying on his memory are his wife of 37 years and
soulmate, Carol; children: Andrea (Bennett), Leanne (James), James (Lauren),
and the sparkle to his day, grandson, Blake.
Jack joins his parents, Brendan and Neitha; in-law’s, Hugh and Norma; brothers, Adrian, Brendan Jr. and Jerome in Heaven.
He’ll be deeply missed by his remaining brothers; Edward (Kathy), Adrian, Jim (Paula),
Mike, and Brian (Shawn); sisters, Andrea (Mike), Elaine (Steve), Sharon (Lambert),
Yvonne (Marcel), Karen (Les), Debbie (John), and Renee (Troy); sister-in-law, Patti (Paul); brother’s-in-law, Bob, David, Dale (Connie) Darcy (Martine), Darren (Connie), and father-in-law, Don (Burnette), as well as countless nieces and nephews.
Throughout his life, Jack bonded with folks with the same ease at which he excelled at
sports. Whether it was during his successful career rising through the ranks in the
confectionary wholesale industry, or whipping the ball around the softball diamond,
Jack’s charm and good humour won him the friendship and admiration of many.
Jack spent many years living in Western Canada, but his Newfoundland roots were
strong. One could swear he only had to close his eyes to smell the salt air or hear
waves hitting shore. When he headed West, he took with him a delightful knack for story
and joke telling. Thankfully, he continued to share those stories and jokes with his
buddies back on the Rock. He never forgot home. He never forgot his buddies, East or
West.
Jack’s decline was swift following diagnosis of liver cancer. Not long after a magnificent
day of story and song, surrounded at home by family and friends (his live wake as
requested), Jack’s fate was soon in the hands of the devoted staffs at Sturgeon General
Hospital and Foyer Lacombe Hospice. The family wishes to extend a special thank you
to them all, for their care and compassion.
Jack chose to be cremated. His ashes will be taken to Newfoundland at a later date where he will be laid to rest.
Details of a Celebration of Life in St. Albert will be shared soon.
Memorial donations may be made in Jack’s memory to assist his family through a
GoFundMe account established at https://gofund.me/f2580b8f.
To quote the lyrics of Richard Hartley, a songwriter with whom Jack grew up with in the
Placentia area, “Now and again, when I’m feeling lonely, I’ll think of you and I’ll smile.”
Jack lived his life with a smile. It’s only fitting to remember him with one.
To send condolences, please visit www.fostermcgarvey.com.
Foster & McGarvey Funeral Home
St. Albert
(780) 419-6666
