Colin R. Houlihan

Colin R. Houlihan, age 31, passed away early Saturday morning, December 2, 2023.

He leaves his parents, Richard P. Houlihan III and Lisa (Ricciardi) Houlihan; his sister Ally Houlihan and her husband Jarrett Powers, and their two daughters, Ella and goddaughter, Rory; his beloved dog Buddy; his paternal grandparent, A. Ella Houlihan; maternal grandparents, Richard F. Ricciardi, Susan Ricciardi, and Elayne T. Ricciardi; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was an avid golfer and enjoyed being on the course and he enjoyed throwing his golf clubs every now and then. Colin loved cooking and feeding people and he was the most comfortable in the kitchen. He would call home after work and would ask first “Who is walking Buddy?” and then ask what he should get at the store to cook for dinner.

His best joy was his dog. He loved and was very grateful that his mother would walk him daily.

Another one of his joys were his nieces, Ella and Rory. The love he had for them was overflowing. Whenever Colin came over Ella would grab Colin and drag him out to the trampoline that he bought the girls, to jump and play regardless of the weather. Colin was the sparkle in Rory’s eye. When he walked into the room, she would give the biggest smile and track him with her eyes.

He was a graduate of Worcester Public Schools and went to the Culinary Institute of America.

He worked at Wachusett Mountain where he was a snowboard instructor during high school. He worked at several different restaurants including Quinn’s and the Flying Rhino.

Most recently, he worked at National Grid. He began as a meter reader, worked in the garage, and found his true calling working in the underground where he was working towards becoming first-class rated. He was a proud member of the IBEW.

Calling hours at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, are Friday, December 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 9, at 11 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove St., Worcester.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made at https://go.fidelity.com/61fw23.