Richard Lee Holmes

He was born in Albany, NY on May 8, 1940 the son of Horace W. and Emelinn M. (Peterson) Holmes.

He is married his high school sweetheart, Judy (Denico) Holmes.

Richard grew up in Connecticut and later moved to Westport, NH in 1956. He attended Keene High School and graduated with the class of 1959. He was a very active member of the Elm City Chapter of the F.F.A. (Future Farmers of America) during high school. He served as treasurer, vice president and as president of the chapter in his senior year.

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n 1962 he enlisted in the US Army and was in the Nike Missile program stationed in Roberts, Wisconsin. He was honorable discharged as a SPC 4 in November of 1965. He worked construction for many years and also worked at Homestead Mills in West Swanzey, NH prior to entering the army.

In 1981 he was the first employee hired at C & S Grocery when the opened in Brattleboro, VT. He worked for C & S for thirty years doing many different jobs. He loved doing grounds and maintenance work and he loved the outdoors. He was also very active in his personal farming and gardening and keeping his yard neat. Dick loved to hunt and to fish and to spend time with his grandchildren.

Dick loved to attend country fairs and for the last twenty five years going to the Fryberg Fair in Maine with his wife Judy in their motorhome for the week of the fair He also loved harness racing and spent time at the former Hinsdale Race Track and also at the Scarborough Downs Race Track in Maine during the summer months.

He is survived by his loving wife of thirty-two years, Judy Holmes of Walpole, NH; his children; Kelly Holmes and her partner Lori of Connecticut, Michelle Holmes and her partner Jeff of Massachusetts, Scott Tommila of Massachusetts, Shawn Tommila and his wife Dennet of Massachusetts, Susan Whippie and her husband Eric of Sullivan, NH, Carl Tommila and his wife Stephanie of Winchester, NH, Renee` McGuirk and her husband Mike of Keene, NH, Robert Menter and his wife Erika of Florida; his sister Donna Slater and her husband Bob of Connecticut, his brother-in-law and his best friend of fifty-six years, Richard Denico and his partner Linda of Keene, NH, brother-in-law Warren Denico, Jr. and his wife Linda of West Swanzey, NH; twelve grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held in the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be private. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Tuesday morning from 11:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m.

Flowers would be appreciated or for those who wish, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Home Health Care – Hospice, 312 Marlboro Street, PO Box 564, Keene, NH 03431.