Obituary of John S. Holmes

John S. "Jack" Holmes, lifelong Gloversville resident and businessman, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2011 at Nathan Littauer Nursing Home where he had resided since December of last year. Holmes worked for more than thirty years as an independent insurance salesman and prominent associate of the Santella Real Estate Agency. For the first dozen of his "retirement" years, Jack and his wife, Beverly, owned and operated their Florida-based business, "Southern Exposure," designing and manufacturing custom fleece sweat suits. Born on November 4, 1925, Jack was the second of three children and only son of Mildred Hornett and Russell "Bud" Holmes. His father, in earlier years, was a professional baseball player and was a member of the 1915 World Championship Boston Red Sox. The elder Holmes was a teammate of Babe Ruth and believed to be the only local athlete ever to be part of a World Series winning baseball club. During World War II, Jack interrupted his high school years to serve as a seaman in the Merchant Marines, transporting troops to and from the European Theatre. After his tour of duty, Jack graduated from Gloversville High School, where he was a proud member of the undefeated 1943 football team. As a standout "lefty" pitcher, Jack continued to play baseball along with local sports legend, Jack Kobuski, on the Pony League baseball club, the Jamestown Falcons. He attended Long Island Ag & Tech where he studied commercial art. In 1949, he married his wife of sixty-one years, Beverly Jean Colts. By the late 1950's, Holmes was actively involved in the Pop Warner/Wemple Avery youth football program and served for many years as both a coach and referee. Jack's lifelong passion for the game of golf led to more than fifty years of memberships at Pine Brook Golf Club, Antlers Golf Course and, most recently, Nick Stoner Golf Club where his talents often resulted in trophy-winning results. Jack was an accomplished poet, so much so that he was often asked to compose a poem for an occasion, such as a retirement or GHS class reunion. Many of his poems have been published in the Leader Herald over the years. In recent years, Jack frequently reminisced this wonderful life with many boyhood buddies at the Gloversville Senior Center. Devoted husband of Beverly Holmes and brother of Dorothy Miller, both of whom preceded him in death. Beloved brother to Marjorie Croucher; cherished father of Jackie Smith Larry; Mark Holmes Sally; Dale Holmes Denise Ragone; and Janet Velte Tom. Adoring grandfather of Jennifer Brockert Ribas Luis; Matt Smith; Katelyn Holmes; April Holmes; Melody Holmes; Michael Velte and adoring great-grandfather of Alex and Sam Ribas. The family would like to thank the staff of the Nathan Littauer Nursing Home for their loving and compassionate care. Family and friends are invited and may call Saturday, August 13 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, NY 12078. A funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. Interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack's name may be made to Nathan Littauer Hospital Nursing Home, 99 East State Street, Gloversville, NY 12078.