Richard was born in Bourne, MA to Alfred Walter Holmes and Maria Nicolette Hackett (Holmes) on July 24,1956. He graduated from East Haven High School before attending the University of New Haven and Shephard College as a two-sport athlete and scholar. Richard worked as a teacher in Virginia before moving back to Connecticut to work as a teacher and coach at Notre Dame of Fairfield. He was married to Christine Doolittle (Burnett) and raised his son, Richard Kevin Holmes and daughter, Juliellen Van Lenten (Rodriguez) in Waterbury, CT until 2003.
Richard, known to many as Mr. Holmes or Coach Holmes, first worked in the Danbury Public School system at Broadview in 1993 before moving to Danbury High School as both a Social Studies teacher and multisport coach. He coached both baseball and football at various levels throughout his career including his tenure as Head Football Coach at both Sacred Heart in Waterbury and at Abbott Tech/Immaculate in Danbury. In addition to the lasting impact Richard left on his coworkers and the youth in Danbury, CT, he will be remembered for his love of the Mets and Packers, attending local games of all sorts, enjoying Broadway shows and musicals, and debating history and politics with anyone who would listen. Richard (Rich, Mr. Holmes, Coach, Dad, and Pops) was a loving father, grandfather, and partner and will be missed beyond words by all.
Richard is survived by his mother, Maria Holmes; his son Kevin and his wife Ana, and their three children Sean Kennedy, Angela Kennedy, and Emma Holmes; his daughter Julie and her husband Jonantonio, and their two children, Zoey Rodriguez and Orion Rodriguez; his brother Steven and his partner Nathan; and his partner Lori Amann.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Danbury High School athletics.
Additionally, family and friends wishing to submit photos and memories for his celebration of life slideshow may do so by emailing them to [email protected].
A memorial gathering of friends and family for Richard will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 12:00 to 4:00 pm at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, CT.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thegreenfuneralhome.com for the Holmes family.
