Jon Pat Hoolihan

Jon Hoolihan will be remembered as a visionary, entrepreneur, auction enthusiast, husband, father, brother, uncle and veteran. He was admired by a legion of friends and his beloved family for his generosity, kindness and humor. He’ll also be remembered by hundreds of Southern Nevada poverty-stricken children and families by making their holiday dreams and wishes come true.

Sadly, Jon, 78, passed peacefully on January 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. His legacy is to be admired; for 35+ years Jon was the driving force behind his Santa Claus Project, which brought joy to so many. He stood up for those less fortunate in the true meaning of Christmas.

Jon was born in Lackawanna, NY, to John and Alice Hoolihan on May 27, 1944. He attended school at Our Lady of Victory and Lackawanna High School. He married Susan Roberts on April 17, 1970, in Las Vegas, NV, at the historically significant Little Chapel of the West on the Strip. During the Vietnam War, Jon served in the US Air Force as a heavy equipment operator and teacher in this field.

After the Air Force, Jon settled in Southern Nevada and worked as a construction excavator operator for different companies for many years. Armed with the experience he gained, coupled with his entrepreneurship mentality he formed Hoolihan’s Excavating. He, and later on with his brother Richard, built a very successful construction business that served Southern Nevada for 38 years.

Jon will also be remembered for handing out his “dime-n-pins,” silver dollars and $2 bills and his ravenous auction hunting expeditions for “the deal of a lifetime.” It didn't matter what it was, it was just the deal that mattered. Jon worked hard, but he played harder. He was a dedicated member of the Henderson Rotary club where he received several commendations for various achievements, most notable of which was his Santa Claus project.

Jon enjoyed traveling to exotic locations such as Tahiti and China but also to the little town of Pioche, NV, especially for the Labor Day celebration. Jon even bought a little house on a hill overlooking the town’s 600 residents which became party central.

On Thanksgiving, the family, friends, and the dogs would spend the weekend on the beach in San Diego. Jon enjoyed the sun, sitting by the pool, reading a book. He loved his dogs, Frazier and Maggie, who brought him so much joy and when needed, comfort.

Jon was preceded in death by his wife, best friend and partner, Susan. Jon is survived by his daughter Shannon and son-in-law George, his brothers Tom (Inez), Richard (Cathy), and Michael, as well as his cousin Carol Webb and many well-loved cousins, nieces, and nephews and friends.

Rest In Peace and may God and Sue welcome you with open arms.

View the service virtually

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Jon’s name to one of the following charitable organizations:

• Pawtastic Friends https://www.pawtasticfriends.com/

• Nevada Rotary Foundation https://nevadarotaryfoundation.org/

A Celebration of Life for Jon is planned for Saturday, February 18, 10am at Palm Mortuary,7600 S. Eastern, Las Vegas. He will be interred with Susan at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City in March 2023.