Carroll Sawyer Holden

Carroll Sawyer Holden, of Bolton, known to everyone as Joe, died February 6, 2024 of bladder cancer at Hartford Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was 81. He was born in Hartford to Theodore and Katherine (Sugrue) Holden on December 24, 1942. Joe spent most of his youth in Glastonbury with summers in Casco, Maine. He acquired his beloved 52 MGTD at age 18. After many rehabs and paint jobs, it still resides in the garage today.

He was married to his first wife, Kathleen, in 1965 and had three daughters. They spent many summers sailing the New England coast in their Catalina 30 sailboat. He had a 34 year career at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft as a Program Manager.

He married Avryl (Blizzard) Holden in 1992 and together they juggled many weekends between sail boating and horse shows. Joe was known as a great “horse show husband”. He was always driving people crazy taking videos, but today they are cherished treasures.

In 2002 Avryl and Joe sold the sailboat and bought a land yacht. They began motor homing all over the U. S. and Canada, visiting most National Parks and Monuments. There was also travel to Hawaii and Alaska and a breathtaking cruise to Antarctica. Joe’s other loves were snow plowing, his John Deere tractor, his home in Casco, Maine and watching UCONN Women’s Basketball.

Besides his wife he leaves his beloved daughters, Kimberly Borger (Darrell) of Ashland, MA, Jacquelyn DiMascio (Matthew) of Rocky Hill, Cheryl Richmond (Earl) of Buena Vista, CO; his three adored grandchildren, Tanner and Muez Richmond, and Megan Borger; and his sister Katharine Sama (Ralph) of Casco, ME. He also leaves many nieces, nephews and a host of wonderful friends and neighbors. He was predeceased by his brother Richard Holden of Casco. ME.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024 at A Villa Louisa Restaurant, Bolton at 11 am. Please bring your “Joe” stories. In lieu of flowers, please donate to an animal rescue group in Joe’s name. The D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford has been entrusted with the care of the funeral arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.

“Home is the Sailor, Home from the Sea”

Requiem, Robert Louis Stevenson