Jeremiah "Jerry" Patrick Holland

Age 95, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2014. He was the last surviving member of the William-Ella (Morton) Holland family. He was predeceased by his first spouse Edith (Sibley) and his second spouse Viola (Mont), brothers George and Roy, sisters Camilla (Lewis) and Marjorie (McGray). He is survived by his son Dennis, his wife Brenda, grandchildren Patrick and Nicholas, daughter Barbara (Scottsdale, Arizona), sister-in-law Rolla Dickey, and many nieces and nephews.

A lifetime resident of Halifax, he was educated at Oxford St. School and St. Patrick’s High School. He enlisted in the 22 Field Ambulance regiment on 9 Sept 1939 and served overseas (1941-1945). He had a great love for military life and on his return from overseas (1945), he immediately re-enlisted in the Reserve Forces, and remained active in the military for a period of 42 consecutive years.

Upon his official retirement, he was awarded the 3rd Clasp to the Canadian Decoration, at the time, being only the 7th military person in Canada to receive this prestigious award. During his military career he was often referred to as the Three Letter Man, with service in the army (1939-1945), militia forces (1945-1952) as RSM and later commissioned to the Air Force as Commanding Officer of the 250 Air Cadet Squadron. Subsequently he was promoted to rank of Major and employed with Royal Canadian Navy, as Senior Staff Officer of the Sea Cadet Sea Training Program at Maritime Command Headquarters. During his civilian working life (35 years) he was employed at the Veteran’s Affairs Eastern Army Command Headquarters and the Department of National Revenue. Upon his official retirement, he became very active in the Senior’s movement, serving on the many boards and commissions advocating the needs of seniors.

He was also past president (life member) of Vimy Branch 27 Royal Canadian Legion. He was a very sport minded person, enjoying all types of sports. However, his greatest love was music, dancing and his weekly bridge games. His final wishes were to thank all his friends and neighbours for their friendship and support during his lifetime. The family would like to say a special thanks to the staff of 4 west Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building and Wendy Braca for taking such good care of our father/grandfather.

Cremation to take place under the care of J.A. Snow Funeral Home. Memorial Service will be held at St. Agnes Church on Mumford Rd on Friday, June 27 at 10:00 am with burial to take place in the family plot in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Donations may be offered to the Diabetes Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the charity of your choice.