Frederick S. Holahan of Winchester, passed away suddenly on May 20th, 2011. He was 81 years old. Fred was the son of the late Francis A. and Helen (O’Reilly) Holahan.
For 59 years, beloved husband of Rose (Sibilia). Loving father of Susan Mueller and her husband Gary of Richboro, PA, Frederick S. Jr. and Kathy Farrell of Woodbury, CT, Marylou Hughes and her husband Robert of Andover, Lisa Sheehy and her husband Michael of Reading, Carol Holahan of Concord, NH and Stephen Holahan and his wife Christina of Winchester. Dear brother of Helen Schwab of Wayne, NJ and the late Philip and Francis, Jr. Holahan.
Additionally, he is survived by 14 grandchildren; Nicole Mueller, Kristin Jayne, Jennifer Farrell, Kelley, Kristin, and Leigh Holahan, Sarah, Julie, and Peter Sheehy, Ryan, Elise and Erica Steiner, and Daniel and Linnea Holahan, and two great grandchildren; Owen and Ashleigh Jayne.
Fred grew up in North Arlington, NJ and graduated from North Arlington High School in 1947. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Upon graduation, he began working at Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, NJ where he authored numerous papers on polymer chemistry. He earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees in Physical Chemistry from Stevens Institute of Technology while working full-time and raising a family. Fred was featured on the cover of Newark News Magazine on May 29th, 1960 for his work as a weapons specialist.
In 1967, he accepted a position as Senior Physical Research Scientist at Polaroid Corporation, Waltham, MA. It was at this time the family relocated from Mount Freedom, NJ to Winchester, MA. He retired from Polaroid in 1996 after nearly 30 years of service.
While Fred was a quiet man, he was also a man of conviction. His political, racial, and humanitarian views were an important and integral part of his life. He actively expressed theses views to his local & state representatives. His interest and advocacy in these issues never ceased.
During retirement, Fred and Rose spent time traveling abroad and enjoying their summer home in Owl’s Head, ME. But their greatest pleasure was enjoying precious time with their children, 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Fred will be missed for his kind smile, gentle demeanor, quick wit and undeniable sense of humor!
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 26th at 10AM in St. Mary's Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours are Wed. from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the Jimmy Fund C/O DFCI, PO Box 849168, Brookline, MA 02445-7295.