David Edward Herlihy Sr.

HYANNIS — David Edward Herlihy Sr., the former president of the Harvard Club of Boston, has died at his home on Cape Cod, surrounded by his family. The cause was pulmonary fibrosis.

Born in Boston on Aug. 20, 1934, he was the 3rd child of Frank Herlihy, assistant superintendent of the Boston public schools and Anne Herlihy, a homemaker.

Dave grew up in Roslindale, but he spent almost every summer on his beloved Cape. He began visiting as a small child, when his father would teach at the Teacher's College in Hyannis.

Dave attended Boston Latin School. In the school prophecy, it was predicted that he would become the mayor of Boston. It was a prediction that would reveal not only his love of political affairs, but also his general affability. He established many friendships throughout the years and was a loyal and true friend. Childhood and lifelong friend Paul O'Sullivan said "Dave was supremely loyal to his family, faith, friends, alma maters, those he worked for and those who worked for him. He was a stellar citizen — champion of his political party and many civic causes. Dave's laughter and enthusiasm for life will be sorely missed by many."

Dave attended from Harvard College, an institution which he remained involved with throughout his life. Several days after graduating from Harvard, he joined IBM, where he would remain for 38 years.

But perhaps most important to Dave was his family. He met his wife Eleanor Gallagher Herlihy, known as Nonnie, in 1959, when they were introduced by Nonnie's roommate. They married in 1961. They began their family, and after time spent in Watertown and Canton, they moved to Longmeadow with their five children. While in Longmeadow, Dave became actively involved in town politics. A lifelong Democrat, he spent many hours at the kitchen table surrounded by friends discussing and strategizing about local politics and elections, working for, among others, Mike Dukakis' campaign for governor. For his own political career, Dave was elected to the Longmeadow School Committee, a first for a Democrat.

In 1973, they moved to Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. In 1987, Dave and Nonnie returned home to Boston. As their last child went off to college, they traded in their suburban New Jersey home for a condominium in Boston's Back Bay. It was there that Dave ended his IBM career, as the Area Director of External Programs. He led all of IBM's New England philanthropic, legislative, and social action initiatives. He extended this work through involvement in the Boston community, working with the United Way, the World Affairs Council and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.

Following his retirement, Dave was elected president of the Harvard Club of Boston where he oversaw the renovation of the downtown Club. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Harvard Alumni Association. He eventually moved permanently to the Cape, where he became involved with the Harvard Club of Cape Cod, and where much of his time was spent with his children and his 17 grandchildren. "My father was an old-fashioned kind of man. He was very loyal and honest, and he was always willing, no matter who you were or where you came from, to help you along," said his daughter, MaryAnne Ulian. The seriousness of Dave's pulmonary fibrosis only became apparent in July. He came home with hospice on July 10th and those final weeks were an Irish wake that Dave could enjoy. So many friends from all stages of his life sent letters, each pointing to a time when Dave's confidence in them, his advice or his outstretched hand made a difference in their lives.

In addition to his wife, Dave is survived by his children, MaryAnne Ulian and her husband Steve of Wellesley, Elizabeth Herlihy of Boston, David Herlihy Jr. and his wife Ann of Sudbury, LeeEllen and her husband Bob Jones of Concord, and Julie Herlihy and her husband Jeff Kinder of Menlo Park, Calif. He had 17 grandchildren, Christopher, Emmett, Anne, Bridget and Aidan Ulian, Julia, Matthew, John and David Herlihy III, Katie, Charlotte, Timmy and Peter Jones, and James, Elliot, Max and Eleanor Kinder. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Francis Herlihy and Robert Herlihy. In addition, he is survived by 12 sisters and brothers-in-law and 21 nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be held from the Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 160 W. Main St., Hyannis, at 9 a.m., on Monday, Aug. 3. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 347 South St., Hyannis. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, Aug. 2, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Burial will follow in Mosswood Cemetery, Cotuit.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of David Herlihy Sr. may be made in support of the Advanced Lung Disease Fund at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Please make checks payable to Brigham and Women's Hospital and send to: BWH Development Office, 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116.

Doane, Beal & Ames

508-775-0684