Brian Houlahan was born January 23, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio, the fourth of six childrento Maurice and Norme Houlahan; he was Baptized the next month at Holy Name Church in Cleveland. At age 4 Brian’s parents moved the family to Hudson, Ohio, where Brian grew up and received the rest of the Sacraments at Saint Mary Church, Hudson. Brian attended Holy Family Elementary School in Stow, Ohio, St. Vincent High School in Akron, and Kent State University.
In 1959 Brian married Marilyn Guarino and they have three children (two girls and a boy), and six grandchildren (four boys and two girls). For almost 32 years Marilyn and Brian lived in Bedford, Ohio, before moving to Twinsburg, Ohio, where they lived for 24 years. Now their home is in Parma, Ohio.
For twelve years Brian worked in the funeral business, then in hospital administration for five years. In 1971 he was hired as the first lay person to serve as the Business Manager and Treasurer of St. Mary Seminary (the Graduate School) for the Diocese of Cleveland. In 1975 Brian was appointed to the same position for Borromeo Seminary (the High School and College Seminary) for the Diocese of Cleveland.
In 1991 St Mary’s building was sold, the Diocese’s Graduate School was moved to the Borromeo location, and the facility was renamed The Center for Pastoral Leadership, consisting of St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, Borromeo Seminary (the college program), and the Diocese’s Pastoral Ministry Program, Deaconate Program, and Continuing Education Program for Ministers. Brian was then appointed Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer. All together Brian was employed by the Diocese of Cleveland for thirty-five years.
Brian retired in 2006, and in 2007 he began working part time as the business manager at Saint Mary Church in Painesville, Ohio
In 1959 Brian and his wife, Marilyn, were founding members of St. Martin of Tours Parish in Maple Heights, Ohio, where they continue to belong and worship today. At St. MartinsBrian has served as President of the Parish Council, Chairperson of the Liturgy Commission, Chairperson of the Building Commission, Parish Organist, and for seventeen years he has worked on many committees for the parish school including the National Blue Ribbon Committee.
