Patrick Joseph Hourihan, known to his family and friends as Pat, passed away Thursday (10/29) at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, Massachusetts, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 75 years old.

Pat was born in New York City on August 19, 1951, to the late Mary (Healy) and John Hourihan. At 2 years old his parents moved him and his two brothers, James and Michael, from New York City to West Springfield, where he lived for the rest of his life. Pat pursued his education with passion and dedication. He was a 1969 graduate of Cathedral High School and in 1973 from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. After that he received his law degree from Western New England College.

For 54 years, Pat shared his life with his beloved wife, Sandra (Sandy) in West Springfield. The pair grew up living literally around the corner from each other, attended St. Thomas School together from kindergarten to eighth grade, and then all four years at Cathedral High School. His devotion to her was, above all else, the most important thing to him, and their partnership was the steady foundation upon which their family was built. Together they raised their five children and welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren into a home filled with warmth, laughter, and tradition.

Pat was a devout Catholic, and life-long communicant of St. Thomas Church where he was a long-time member of the parish council. His strong faith guided him throughout his life and sustained him in a profound way over the last several months of his life.

His professional life began at the New England Telephone Company, working alongside his father, John, before transitioning to the law firm Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas in 1980 working until he retired as the Executive Director in 2017. In the late 1980s Pat was called to public service and accepted an appointment to West Springfield’s Board of Appeals. In 1990, Pat’s dedication to the success of West Springfield continued with his election to the office of Selectman for West Springfield (2 terms) through 1996. In honor of his Democratic values, civic engagement and activism for West Springfield, Pat was awarded Democrat of the Year shortly after completing his two terms as selectman.

In retirement, Pat devoted much of his time to his family, especially to his wife, children grandchildren and great-grandchildren who he loved unconditionally. His compassion for those most in need was most evident in his post-retirement volunteer work at the Department of Children and Families. There he helped struggling children and families find their footing during their most difficult times. At his core, Pat was a man who was always willing to help anyone who asked and many who never had to ask.

Pat was the heart of his family in every sense. He was their confidant and the ultimate advisor; the careful listener who provided wisdom and love. He led with humility, which was often followed quickly by humor; and his laugh was infectious. It was his children, more than anyone, who made him laugh the hardest, and those moments of shared joy are among the many gifts he leaves behind.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Pat loved baseball, football, basketball, and golf. He enjoyed the company of close friends and cherished the family's annual trip to Harwichport on Cape Cod. In June of this year, he realized a long-held dream of a large family trip to Ireland, bringing all thirty members of his immediate family together for a trip to the motherland. It was a journey that will forever remain one of the family's most precious memories.

Annually, Christmas and Thanksgiving at the Hourihan home were made unforgettable by Pat and Sandy. These holidays, spent at their house in West Springfield surrounded by family, became the most cherished traditions that will endure in the hearts of all who gathered there. Pat was a constant presence in the lives of his grandchildren, alongside Sandy, attending as many sporting events, dance recitals, plays, and anything else that featured their grandchildren as they possibly could.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Kaplan Family Hospice House for their unrelenting kindness and compassion over the last six months. Their unwavering support will never be forgotten.

Patrick was the loving husband to Sandra A. (Leahy) Hourihan, beloved father of Kathleen (Christopher) Morrison; his sons, Timothy (Christine), Brendan (Susan), Daniel (Kristen), and Brian (Lauren); fourteen grandchildren-Kayla (Daniel) Serard, Christopher (Lara) and Conor Morrison, Colin, Ryan, Emily, Alyson, Patrick, Maeve, Cooper, Quinn, Beckett, Declan and Callan Hourihan; two great grandchildren-Jack and Cole Serard; and caring brother of James Hourihan (Adrienne) and the late Michael Hourihan (2023) and his wife Eileen, and the brother-in-law of Patricia and John Kraus. In addition to his parents and his brother Michael, Pat was also predeceased by his infant son, Patrick (Brendan’s twin).

The wake will be held from 4-7 pm Wed. (11/11) at the TOOMEY-O’BRIEN FUNERAL HOME, 1043 Westfield Street, West Springfield. The Funeral Mass will be 11 am Thursday (11/12) at St. Thomas Church. Burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Pat’s name may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle School, 75 Pine Street, West Springfield, MA 01089 or to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 300 Bolyston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.