He helped restore the flying horses on the city carousel, blazed walking trails through East Rock Park, and kept an eye on City Hall as a congenial “goad.” The former East Rock alderman and recent mayoral candidate was remembered Tuesday for a life of activism and public service.
As recently as last winter and spring, Tom Holahan could be spotted weekly at City Hall hearings, often donning a bright yellow rain poncho, listening in and speaking up on proposals on everything from the Civilian Review Board to a new communication tower atop East Rock. A known activist for peace and social justice causes, he launched a campaign for mayor in November 2006, but dropped out of the race due to health problems.
Holahan passed away on Aug. 18 at age 66.
He spent his professional life teaching in Connecticut schools. After earning a PhD in Philosophy from Yale, he taught at Hillhouse High School, Shelton High School, Hamden Hall Country Day School and the University of New Haven, according to this resume he passed out along the campaign trail.
Holahan, who served as alderman of East Rock from 1982 to 1988, was honored with a resolution at the Board of Aldermen’s meeting Tuesday.
“He did an enormous amount for our ward, but more importantly for the city,” said East Rock Alderman Ed Mattison of his Ward 10 predecessor. He was a “private citizen who made it his business to make the city better,” said Mattison.
Holahan led the battle to reopen the carousel at Lighthouse Point Park, helped forge new walking trails near the Mill River, and co-founded the New Haven Peace Commission.
After serving as alderman, he stayed around City Hall as a “legislative goad,” said Mattison.
Alderman Carl Goldfield, president of the board and often the recipient of Holahan’s critiques, described him as “a genuinely humane, thoughtful guy. He firmly believed in what he was saying, but he was the type of guy who could laugh at himself” while launching his arguments. “He genuinely loved the city. He was one of those people who make New Haven run.”
If you never had Tom as your friend, you truly missed out. It has been for me a priviledge and an honor to be in his company. He never judged me, he never turned his back on me. He called me and wished me well all the time. We would have lunch all over New Haven to chat about local politics, and people and books and music. He didn't have a mean-spirited bone in his body and even if he didn't dig your politics he never trashed you or treated you unfairly. He was a decent, straight-up guy and I miss him.