Patrick Joseph Halloran, born on January 23rd, 1929 in Rosmuc, County Galway, Ireland, passed away peacefully at home in Harwood Heights on May 23rd, at the age of 96.

Patrick was the last surviving of the 9 children born to Michael and Nora Halloran; beloved husband of the late Gertrude (nee Gorham); loving father of Bernard (Patricia), John (Teresa), Patsi (the late Dominick) DelMonico, Barbara (Godfried) Ravelingeen, and David (Laurie); dear grandfather of the late Erin (Nicholas), Stephen, Patrick, Caitlin (Jesse), Dominique (Gaetano), Joseph, Adrienne and Justin; cherished great-grandfather of Trudy, Mason, Madeline and Dominick; Uncle Pa to many nieces and nephews.

In 1949, at the age of 20, Patrick left his small Irish village and traveled to North America with the hope of finding greater opportunities– first living in Montreal, then San Francisco. It was in California he met the love of his life: Gertrude. The two of them would marry and settle in Chicago to start their family, where they had five beautiful children.

Patrick joined the Carpenters Union in the 1950s and had been a member for over 70 years. Carpentry was his passion in life – he always had a garage full of tools and fresh lumber, ready to work on whatever needed fixing. Whether it was helping to create a skyscraper like the Prudential Building or repairing his neighbor's back deck – he put in the same amount of great focus and effort. He truly loved to build and was an accomplished craftsman.

In his later years, Patrick moved to Harwood Heights and lived in a house he helped design and construct from the ground up. Over the last 20 years, he became the unofficial mayor of the village and the official best customer at Family Palace. His house was the destination for all to gather. A warm cup of tea (or fridge full of beer) was waiting for anyone that needed it. His door was always open and he was ready to welcome you with a big smile – whether it was holidays, birthdays, out-of-town guests, or surprise visits, he was happy to host. He was a fiercely loyal man who cherished family above all else and if you met him once you were family forever.

He passed with pride and dignity, just as he lived his previous 96 years.

Visitation at Cooney Funeral Home, 625 Busse Hwy., Park Ridge on Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. Funeral service on Thursday at St. Rosalie Church, Harwood Heights . Mass at 10:00 a.m.  Interment at Maryhill Cemetery. For info cooneyfuneralhome.com.