Philip Edward Holland

Phil died peacefully at the age of 84 on April 19, 2023, at his home with his family by his side. He was born to Rosalia Elizabeth (Reape) and Lyle Ross Holland on June 12, 1938, in Lowville, New York, he was the 4th of 8 siblings: Barbara, Carol, Harvey (deceased), Sandra, Susie, Winifred and Thomas. At the age of 10 his family then moved to Florida, where he graduated from Clearwater High School in June 1956. Upon graduation, Phil enlisted in the US Army and was initially stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, followed by Fort Dix, New Jersey for infantryman training, then assigned to US Army First Infantry Division Headquarters, later transferred to Germany, after completing 3 years of service he was honorably discharged.

When Phil returned to his home state, he studied at the University of Florida where he received his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1964. He became a practicing CPA, for the next 11 years he worked for Ernst and Ernst, then Coopers and Lybrand. He eventually left public accounting to join the National Automobile Dealers Association, where he was the Executive Director of the Retirement Trust, retiring in 2009 after 34 years. In addition to his career, he ran a small tax practice from home until 2022. He enjoyed his clients and was passionate about his service.

In 1962 Phil married the love of his life, Sally Ann Follett from Corry, Pennsylvania. They raised four children: Philip Patrick, Carla (Adams), Julie (LoRusso) and Catharine (Frisk) in Arlington, Virginia. Phil took great joy in his role as Pop to his 7 loving grandchildren: Callie, Ryan, Charlie and Lauren Adams, Drew LoRusso and Courtney and Teddy Frisk.

One of his greatest sources of enjoyment was the game of golf. He cherished his years at Washington Golf Country Club and the Chautauqua Golf Club in New York, where he was a competitor and a gentleman. He also spent his free time watching various sports games and was most passionate when rooting for the Florida Gators. He enjoyed working out at the WGCC fitness center and was a voracious reader, especially of political, historical and many fictional novels.

Phil was always there to help relatives and friends with his no-nonsense, common-sense advice and his perspective on life which he approached at face value. One of the many mottos that he lived by was "The secret to happiness is not getting what you want but wanting what you have.” Phil was a man of deep faith, an active parishioner for over 50 years at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arlington, Virginia. He was also a longtime active member of the Arlington Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was unselfish, honest, and a genuinely good man: he will be deeply missed.

A special thank you to the people at Goodwin House Hospice in Falls Church, Virginia, for their loving care and support during his final days.