Brother Robert Houlihan
July 31, 1931 ~ July 18, 2021
Brother J. Robert Houlihan, CFX, 89, died Sunday, July 18, 2021, at Mary Immaculate Nursing Center in Lawrence following a period of declining health. He was a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Francis Xavier for seventy-two years.
A Peabody native and the son of the late John and Julia (Griffin) Houlihan and stepson of the late Margaret (McKeon) Houlihan, Brother Robert was a 1949 graduate of Saint John’s Preparatory School.
Following graduation, he entered the Xaverian Brothers and on March 19, 1950, he received the holy habit, taking the religious name Brother Arnold. He received his bachelor’s degree from Saint John’s University and would later earn a master’s degree from Columbia Teachers College.
Brother Robert spent the first twenty years of his teaching ministry in the New York, first at Saint Teresa School in Brooklyn and then at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx. For years after his departure from Hayes, he remained on the staff of the school’s Exceptional Children's Program in the Bronx where he supervises the dance program 15 Sundays a year.
For nearly forty years, Brother Robert was on the staff at Xavier High School in Middletown, CT. There, in addition to teaching freshmen science, he was the longtime, fastidious grounds director. While in Middleton, he continued the work he began at Hayes for those with intellectual disabilities as the founding director of Middlesex Youth Arc.
Brother Robert served on the Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Norwich for ten years and was a longtime board member of the Connecticut Arc.
He had been a member of the community at Xaverian House in Danvers since 2014.
In addition to his brothers in religion, he leaves numerous cousins and their families.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 11AM in the Saint John’s Preparatory School Chapel, 72 Spring St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Xaverian Brothers Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visitation will be in the chapel prior to Mass from 10-10:45AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Brother Robert’s name may be made to the Xaverian Brothers Retirement Fund, 4409 Frederick Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229. Arrangements are under the direction of C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. To share a message of sympathy, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.
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I did not know brother Robert,but I always appreciate being informed when one of the brothers passes on. I attended Saint Johns Prep from 1956 to 1960, and those were the happiest days of my life. All of my teachers were Xaverian brothers, in black habits , and they were phenomenal teachers and lovely people.
So when another brother passes, I say goodbye with great respect and gratitude.
“Brother Houli” was a great man and deeply devoted to his church and community. He taught me Freshman Science at Xavier High School – that was no small chore! He was the “mad scientist” in a crazy, funny sort of way and he made learning fun! When he was not teaching, he attended to Xavier’s vast grounds like he was tending to his home garden. He cared deeply and was passionate about everything! Brother Houlihan was a devout Falcons fan and participated in every Xavier function (and many Mercy events). His commitment to men and women with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities was commendable and MyArc and MARC has stood the test of time thanks to his leadership (65 years!). God Bless Robert Houlihan and his family and friends he leaves behind.
I knew of Brother Arnold from my involvement with Cardinal Hayes HS. When my wife and I met Brother Robert we became friends through the past few years. He always had a sense of humor and vibrant smile. God bless his 72 years as a Xaverian Brother. May he rest in God’s arms as the good and faithful servant.
As a freshman student in his first IPS class at Xavier in Middletown, Houli and I hit it off from the Fall of 1970 for 50 years including my last visit with him in his room in Danvers. He and I promoted and coordinated “Houli Day” clean-up of the Xavier property for many years there. We always enjoyed discussing many horticultural challenges there, and he also helped me hire numerous highly motivated Xavier students to help me at our tree nursery and Garden Center in Cromwell. Adam, “smiley “ Brian and Kyle ALL had Houli’s stamp of approval. Houli’s smile, his wit, his opinions, his kindness and especially his booming voice will be distinctly remembered not just by me; but surely by many. Rest In Peace my good friend.
How many learned that “when taking into consideration the precision of the balance, there is neither a gain nor loss in mass in chemical or physical reactions” in his classroom? May Brother be richly rewarded for his life of ministry and service.
One of the best teachers I’ve ever had. Unforgettable.
Dave McLellan Class of 1976.
Brother Houlihan taught me many things about physical science and life. I was a student at Xavier from 1971 until 1975. I worked with Brother Houlihan in the MYARC Program benefiting individuals with intellectual disabilities. I have retired from the corporate world and now have my retirement job as a Special Education Tutor working with young adults 18-22 years old at the Glastonbury Transition Academy. Brother Houlihan always did more than his part having a positive impact on the world …. a true servant of God.
Brother Houlihan was a tremendous person. He was animated and enthusiastic in everything he did, and he did a lot. He was a great teacher, mentor, and friend. He loved telling stories while at alumni and Xavier sporting events and he always had that booming laugh while telling them. He got me involved with MYARC freshman year and I loved it. Those years working with him and the MYARC family helped prep me for my special needs daughter. Everything came naturally and was easier because of the exposure and experiences he helped facilitate and encourage. Brother Houli was always happy to see my daughter and hear about her Special Olympic and life achievements. He will always have a very special place in my heart. Thank you, Brother Houlihan, for everything you did for me and so many others. Your love of life and enthusiasm rubbed off on more people than you could imagine. Rest in Peace and God bless.
Timmy Wrinn “1978”
Many fond memories/experiments in IPS class as a Freshman.
Always on the grounds keeping things in orders including students.
Brother Stopped teaching just before my sons went through unfortunately
but still got a chance to meet him and take a few pictures
OOH Brother! A well-deserved “Rest in Peace”!
Philip “80, Vincent 2013, Nicholas 2015
Thank you, Br. Houlihan, for all you did for the Xavier community in Middletown, CT. Your good work has done so much for all of us.
Deepest sympathies to all the Xaverian brothers.
The O’Neill Family
I will sorely miss Robert J. Houlihan as a teacher, brother, and a great friend. I liked when we went to the Hartford Whaler’s hockey games together and I will always treasure those moments in and outside of Xavier High School where I attended from ’77 to ’81. I send my deepest sympathies to the Xavierian brothers and his family.
Gregg Feitel
As a Student at Mercy, I enjoyed my involvement with MYARC, and have never forgotten the lesson that Brother Houlihan taught to love and care for one another. The lessons in diversity were ahead of his time .
There are not enough words to describe a legend. A truly great and humble man of tremendous dedication to his calling, his students and those that he felt underserved due to physical limitations. A special needs pioneer years ahead of his time. A man of tremendous energy, moving lightning fast from one project to the next, always with his volunteer army aligned smoothly mentoring each to success. To know him was to love him and it was an honor and a privilege. A man who you could never say no to. Rest in eternal peace, you are and will always be missed by your friends in Middletown. Richard Roberts XHS ’73