James D. Houlihan

EAST HAVEN, CT James D. Houlihan, 94, died on Wednesday February 4, 2015 at The Village At Mariner's Point in East Haven, CT after increasing complications of congestive heart failure. James D. Houlihan was born in Holyoke, MA on September 28, 1920. He grew up in Chicopee Falls, MA. His parents were John L. Houlihan and Catherine Quinn, both of Holyoke, MA. He was married to Helen A. Watt of Holyoke. Helen predeceased James in 1999. James graduated (with distinction) from Worcester Tech University with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1942. He subsequently served in the U.S. Naval Aviation Corps as a Lieutenant. He was an Aerology officer and weather forecaster for the Atlantic Fleet during World War II. Following the war, he worked for the Dupont Corporation as a chemical engineer and moved to Milton Bradley in Springfield, MA rising to Vice President of Research and Development. Mr. Houlihan was well known as an inventor and developer of games for the famous company with several games to his credit. Among them are: Battleship, Connect Four, and Stratego. He was pivotal in the development and introduction of Twister, Operation, and several strategy games with Revolutionary and Civil War themes. James was an avid boater and ranking member of the U.S. Power Squadron. He taught weather forecasting and navigation. He and his wife Helen spent many happy years at their second home in Groton Long Point and eventually retired there. Mr. Houlihan is survived by his sons: John Houlihan of Branford, CT and James W. Houlihan of Springfield, MA; his grandchildren: Brian J. Houlihan of Wolcott, CT, Katherine Houlihan of Cheshire, CT, David Houlihan of Boston, MA, and Matthew Houlihan of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Ethan Brandt and Sarah Brandt of Wolcott, CT and Anderson Watt Houlihan of Chicago, IL. A funeral home service will be held on Saturday February 7, 2015 at 2pm in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton St. Holyoke, MA. Burial will be private. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: St. Edmund's Retreat, P.O. Box 399, Mystic, CT 06355