HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Louis Hallacy II, former Holland mayor and former Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce president, died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. He was 90.
As news spread, he was remembered as much for his professional accomplishments as for being a long-time Holland booster and all-around nice guy.
Mr. Hallacy, Holland mayor from 1973-79, retired from his role at West Coast Chamber president in 2000 after more than 20 years there.
During his 20-year tenure, chamber officials say he launched a number of programs, many of which continue today, including the West Coast Leadership program; West Coast Cash community currency program; networking and educational programs, among others.
He led the chamber’s relocation to downtown Holland’s eastern gateway, where the chamber remains today. He also served as Holland Economic Development Corporation president, during the era that saw northside and southside industrial parks development, which brought thousands of jobs to the community.
“For over 30 years, Lou Hallacy was my dear friend and mentor,” said Jane Clark, the chamber’s current president and CEO. “He was an amazing community trustee who worked tirelessly to ensure the economic vitality of our community. Lou was a wise leader, a patient teacher and a tireless cheerleader for me and countless others in our community. His legacy and community impact will be felt for generations to come.”
Holland Mayor pro tem Mike Trethewey said Mr. Hallacy was a “heck of a nice, humble public servant.”
In an email to WHTC, Trethewey said while he and Mr. Hallacy were not in public office at the same time, he “went to school with his children and ran into him at many functions. He was always very friendly and happened to be one of my constituents when he lived up here in [Holland Heights].”Allegan County Commissioner Dean Kappinga remembered meeting him when Kappinga applied to be a City of Holland policeman in 1977, calling him “a quality man” and “a man that who did a ton for the Holland community and surrounding communities.”
Allegan County Commissioner Jim Story called Hallacy’s death “a huge personal loss,” adding that “he was an outstanding leader … he stayed active, after his retirement … he was just a quality guy. He always put the interest of the community ahead of his own personal promotion. We just don’t make community leaders like that any more. We are poorer in the city of Holland and, indeed, in the Holland-Zeeland area for his passing.”
U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, issued a statement saying Mr. Hallacy was “[a]bout as genuine a guy as one could ever find. Class. Lou’s warmth and love for this community was truly unmatched. He was one of my earliest supporters, and I know he is now praying for all of us from above.”
Mr. Hallacy was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Madeline. He is survived by his children: Don (Karen and children Chris, Andrew (Ali), Nikki and great-granddaughter Zoey); Lou (Lynn and children Matt (Quinn), Jeff (Marisol) and Louis III (Chip) (wife Lauren) and great-grandchildren Jake, Gabby, Amaya, Matthew, Ezra & Mikey); Mary Speet (children Danielle, Katie, Matt and great-grandson Aiden); John (Ellen and children Frederick, Grant and Madeline); Peggy Gorno (Steve and son Michael); and son Joe (partner Rachel). Also surviving is Lou’s loving friend and companion Anita Brooks.
While a private family mass is set for 10 a.m. Thursday, January 21, 2021, at St. Peter Catholic Church for immediate family only because of COVID-19 restrictions, services will be livestreamed at https://m.facebook.com/stpeterdouglas.
Arrangements are by the Dykstra Funeral Home-Mulder Chapel and people can get details, share memories or read more about his life at dykstrafuneralhome.com.
Even in death, Mr. Hallacy’s devotion to community continues: In lieu of flowers, he’s asked that donations be made to Tulip Time either online at https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/tuliptime or by check, sent to 42 W. 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423.
