Gerald John Heelan

John was born in Valentine Nebraska on March 22, 1934, to William and Elizabeth Heelan. John was the youngest of four rowdy boys, all raised in the backdrop of a strict but loving household, in post-depression Cherry County Nebraska. John was something of a local celebrity in his youth in Valentine for his singular toughness and skill in the boxing ring. John was a three-time Nebraska State welterweight boxing champion, then went on to Idaho State University on a full boxing scholarship. John earned a bachelor’s degree in English and was president of the Letterman’s club at ISU- John would finish his boxing career with a record of 98 wins 2 losses.

While a Junior at Idaho State, John Married his high school sweetheart Mary ‘Eileen’ Cramer. After college, John and Eileen moved to Tacoma Washington, where their four children were born. John went to work for the Heidelberg Brewery in Tacoma while Eileen was a registered Nurse at St Joseph’s hospital. John later moved on to the Olympia Brewery, where he would become the head of merchandising and point of sale. John’s career at the Olympia Brewery was a distinguished one. John was the recipient of multiple national awards for his innovations in point-of-sale advertising; but is best remembered for the largess of his fellowship and the lasting impression he left with the many, many people he befriended there.

It is illustrative when describing the type of father John was, to relate that when John and Eileen moved to Olympia in 1971, they bought a home on 2.5 acres. John cleared the property of its dense fir and alder by hand. Using the alder trees as fence rails, John created a pasture and corral. Evenings and weekends over a year, John poured a foundation, then plumbed, wired, and built a barn. Barn built- John went to the great plains of South Dakota and returned with a wild appaloosa mare and stallion from his great uncle’s ranch, where John once worked summers as a ranch hand. John broke the horses, trained them, then gifted the pair to his teenage daughters and taught them to ride – this, so he could spend quality time with his daughters on the weekends. If asked, John would think this was not out of the ordinary, as is typical of the greatest generation.

John possessed an easy, infectious mid-western charm, and was especially well known for having a mischievous sense of humor, and for his love for funny stories and practical jokes.

After the buy-out of the Olympia Brewery in the late 70’s – John went into business with his wife Eileen. John and Eileen opened the Office Tavern with partners Jim and Mitzie Phegley before selling their interest in the Office Tavern to open O’Blarney’s Irish Pub in 1985. John is remembered fondly by all who worked at O’Blarney’s and by its many, many regulars. John is also remembered for his trademark green suspenders and his seemingly endless repertoire of distinctive and hilarious jokes. John and Eileen’s legacy, O’Blarney’s is currently being looked after by their son and partner Michael. In 2011, Michael opened a second O’Blarney’s in Centralia with long-time co-worker and friend Jeff Malloy. The O’Blarney’s brand will turn 40 next May.

John is survived by his wife Eileen, two of his four children- Elizabeth Shawn and William Michael Heelan, and by his Four grandchildren, Nicholas Heelan, Jaidon Heelan, and Brandon and Karissa Bertoglio. All currently reside in Olympia.

A funeral Mass will be held as St. Michael’s Church 1055 Boundary St SE at noon, Friday June 21st. A reception will follow. All are welcome.