Dr Robert M.  Halloran

Served Country & Community

Dr Robert M. Halloran, 88, of Westport, husband of the late Eileen Fahey Halloran, died June 17 at home. Dr Halloran was born May 11, 1918, in Bethel, a son of Robert F. and Henrietta Forger Halloran. He had been a resident of Westport for the past 61 years.

Survivors include four children, Laurel Halloran Giacolone of Newtown, R. Bartley Halloran of West Hartford, Tracy Levites of Westport, and Kerry A. Halloran of Lancaster, Penn. Dr Halloran is also survived by eight grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. One sister, Mary Wetter, predeceased him.

He graduated from Bethel High School as Valedictorian, Fordham University, Class of 1939 with honors, and Georgetown University Medical School with a DDS degree as Salutatorian, Class of 1942. Dr Halloran opened his dental practice in Westport in 1945, retiring in 1985. He was a member of the American College of Dentistry and was named as Fellow to the American Academy of Dentistry in 1969. Dr Halloran was also a member and past president of the Connecticut State Dental Association and of the Fairfield County Dental Society, also serving as president in 1960.

During World War II, Dr Halloran served as a captain with the 82nd Airborne. A trained parachutist, he was regimental dental surgeon during World War II, and with the famed 504 Parachute Infantry, participated in seven campaigns, receiving the Bronze Star for valor.

In 1993, Dr Halloran served as the grand marshal for the Westport Memorial Day Parade. Dr Halloran was a 59-year member of Westport Rotary Club, where he served as president during 1956, and was the recipient of multiple Paul Harris Fellowships. He was also a member of the Westport Y’s Men, was a charter member of the 82nd Airborne Division Organization, and served as a trustee of Assumption parish. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Reading for the Blind and driver for the American Red Cross from which he receive the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2005. Dr Halloran was also a former Westport Bank & Trust trustee from 1961to1989, and member of the Knights of Columbus, Westport Council.

Funeral services were held June 22 at Assumption Church, Westport, followed by interment with military honors in Assumption Cemetery, Greens Farms.

Contributions in memory of Dr Halloran may be made to Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Avenue, Westport CT 06881, or Westport Rotary Club Foundation, PO Box 743, Westport CT 06881.

The Newtown Bee        June 23, 2006