LANGDON — Joseph Langdon Holmes, 67, of Langdon passed away Saturday, May 26, 2018 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. Joe was born in El Paso, Texas on Jan. 9, 1951, the son of Clifford and Christine (Johnson) Holmes. He attended schools in Chelmsford, Massachusetts and Bellows Falls, Vermont and graduated from Fall Mountain Regional High School in 1968. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in 1973 and attained his RN from River Valley Community College in 2009. He led an eclectic life working in farming, insurance, and software before becoming a nurse, then worked at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, Vermont and most recently at Maplewood Nursing Home. Joe served as a volunteer EMT and firefighter for nearly 50 years.
In July 1973, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Eileen (Bascom) Holmes.
A kind, generous, intellectual, and thoughtful soul, Joe was also quick with a quip or a joke. He loved the poetry of Robert Frost, music and song, crafting things with his hands, cooking, and farming. Joe had a passion for gardening; he valued how working the land connected him directly to the earth and to traditions passed down by his parents and grandparents. He was an avid reader and creative problem solver who took great pleasure in exploring new ideas and continuously learning new skills.
Throughout his yearlong battle with glioblastoma, Joe maintained his sense of grace, dignity, and his ability to tell a great story. He amazed his loved ones by finding something to be grateful for every day, whether it was the support of friends from near and far, fresh zucchini from the garden for breakfast, or the antics of their rescue dog, Zoe. He left many lessons and will be dearly missed.
Joe is survived by his wife Eileen; his daughter Chloe Holmes and partner Emily Holmes of Watertown, Massachusetts; his son Jason Holmes and partner Lara-Jane Que of Brunswick, Maine; his sister Nancy Nyberg and brother-in-law Dennis of Chicago, Illinois; his brother Stacy Holmes and sister-in-law Lynn of Mission Viejo, California; sister-in-law Charlotte Holmes of Praesto, Denmark; former sister-in-law Merrilee Holmes of Tucson, Arizona; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Joe was predeceased by his parents and his brother Edward Holmes.
Joe will be buried at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 3 in the Acworth Cemetery with a brief graveside service. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 7 at the Third Congregational Church of Alstead followed by a reception at the church. All are welcome to attend either or both events.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to The Third Church Guild c/o Joanne Stevens, Pres., P.O. Box 164, Alstead, NH 03602 or to The Maplewood Nursing Home Auxiliary Association at 201 River Road, Westmoreland, NH 03467.
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