O’Loughlin, Liam Patrick beloved husband of Joya (deceased 2014), and father to his dearly loved children: Brother Peter O'Loughlin C.F.C.; Christine (Mark Beynon), grandchildren Daniel (Ally), Caitlin (Jake) and Sinéad (Samuel) and great-grandchildren, Rowan, Nathan, Maeve, Luke and Hazel; Marc (Leonora), grandchildren Keira (Jay), Liam (Allie), Tristan (Caitlyn) and Éamonn, and great-grandchildren, Kale, Blake, Chandler-Joya, and Bodhi; Patrick (Joy), grandchildren Lindsay and Conor; and Luke (Audra), and his youngest grandchildren, Ava and Sophia, passed peacefully away at the age of 90 on October 19, 2023.
Liam was born October 17, 1933, in Sydney, Australia. He was the middle child of Patrick and Mary Catherine (Polly) O’Loughlin. He dearly loved his sisters Nancy and recently deceased Maureen (Alistair). Liam was also very close to his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Kirk.
Liam, upon leaving high school went into the Hotel industry working alongside his father. He met Joya at a Catholic Youth Organization dance in 1955 and married in 1956. In 1962 Liam’s father, Patrick died suddenly while visiting Ireland and Liam at the young age of 28 became the operator of the family business. Liam successfully owned and operated hotels in several Sydney suburbs. His association with the Australian Hotel Association (AHA) produced several life-long friends: Arthur Laundy, Bill Waugh, and Frank Hurley to name a few. It was during this time that Liam developed a love of golf which stayed with him after the family moved to Vancouver, Canada on Jan 1, 1976. The Dumas family, particularly patriarch Noel Dumas, were a very important part of Liam’s life, especially following the death of his father, and were instrumental in Liam and Joya’s momentous decision to immigrate in 1975.
During the ensuing years, Liam owned and operated, with the assistance of his sons, Marc for 10 years and Patrick for 37 years, several pubs and liquor stores in Vancouver, Coquitlam, Esquimalt, Surrey, and New Westminster. Liam was also a long-time member of the Point Grey Golf and Country Club where he developed many friends over his 47 years of membership.
Liam liked to travel and although he had to coax Joya into the sky or onto the oceans, they became seasoned travelers. Their many trips included: Newfoundland, the Maritimes, Ontario, Québec, Ireland, Greece, Norfolk Island, Italy, the United Kingdom, Israel, and many forays across the border to Washington, California, Arizona, the New England States, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, and Alaska.
Liam had a deep and abiding belief in his Roman Catholic faith. It was this faith and the unflinching support he felt over the years by many priests, especially Fr. John Langtry - a longtime friend in Australia, and his cousin Fr. Kevin Murphy, as well as religious sisters and brothers that carried him throughout his life, particularly after Joya died in 2014. Liam was an extraordinarily generous man who gave freely of his resources to help those in need, often unbeknownst to many. His monetary gifts, silently and quietly given, have helped countless people over the years. He strongly believed in helping those in need. Liam also believed in giving back with his time, serving up until very recently as a Board Member at Corpus Christi and St. Mark’s Colleges for over twenty years.
The family would like to give special thanks to Maria Basinang, Dad’s primary caregiver over the last eighteen months for her dedicated care and love for Dad. We would also like to thank the doctors and nurses who helped Dad in the last few months, particularly those at Mount St. Joseph Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital; their care and compassion were appreciated by Liam and the family.
Dad, Grandpa, Poppa, and Great Grandpa Liam will be dearly missed though we will all always treasure the gift that was his wonderful life. He has left a legacy and a powerful example of devotion to his Faith, family, and the community.
Prayers: Wednesday, November 1st at 7pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 2465 Crown Street, Vancouver. Mass of the Resurrection: Thursday, November 2nd at 11am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Liam’s name to The Palliative Care Centre of VGH.