Obituaries

Wayne A. Holden Jr

Wayne A. Holden Jr. GRANTHAM — Wayne A. Holden Jr., 89, formerly of Colebrook, Twin Mountain and Charlestown, New Hampshire, passed away early Tuesday morning, Dec. 8, 2020, at his daughter’s home in Grantham. Mr. Holden was born in Colebrook on July 28, 1931, the son of the late Wayne A. Holden Sr. and Florimel Gordon (Higgins) Holden. He was raised on Fish Hatchery Road in Colebrook and was a 1949 graduate of Colebrook Academy where he was a Future Farmers of America officer. In 1952, he served two years with the U.S. Army 20th Field Artillery in Germany. In 1968, he married the love of his life, Joyce B. King of Stratford. From 1950 to 1990, Wayne worked for the New Hampshire Fish & Game fishery division. For 21 of those years, he was the superintendent of the Twin Mountain Fish Hatchery. He and Joyce resided in Twin Mountain during that time until retiring to Groveton then Charlestown, New Hampshire. In 1974, Wayne became an income tax preparer. He considered the IRS “The Enemy” and enjoyed facing off with them during audits. He only lost two! For 14 years, he served as a moderator for the town of Carroll. Memberships included the American Legion and Colebrook Jaycees of which he was past president and former vice president of the New Hampshire Jaycees. He also had life memberships with the JCI Senate and the Audubon Society of New Hampshire. After his wife passed, he drove clients for the American Red Cross. He was a board member for Sullivan County, Newport, Claremont area Court Diversion Program. He enjoyed fishing but most of all, riding around on old dirt and back country roads. No matter where he lived, his joy and heart were always at his camp in Colebrook where he enjoyed logging and connecting with old friends. He had a gift of storytelling and he had many to share. He wrote a book in his later years to share many of his adventures. He never met a dessert he didn’t like, especially ice cream. Wayne loved his dog, a Pomeranian, Foxy Reba. One thing Wayne will be remembered for was his generosity and huge heart. He was ALWAYS helping neighbors, friends and relatives with projects and if needed, finances. To avoid paying taxes and interest to IRS, he would help a tax client until they could pay him back. The word “NO” was not in his vocabulary. He always tried to do the right thing by everyone he met. Surviving family members include his two daughters, Debra Morin, spouse Cheryl Graf of Milton, Delaware, and Cynthia Holden-Plummer, spouse Jim of Grantham; granddaughter Tearsha Morin and great-granddaughters Kyra and Keyllie of Delaware, grandson Thomas Scooter Plummer of Delaware, granddaughter Billie Rose Brooks of Springfield, New Hampshire, granddaughter Neecia Heino, spouse Tonya and great-granddaughter Tailyn of St. Louis, Missouri, grandson Zeric Berry and Nicole, children Tristen, Riley, Trent, Elizabeth Dawn and Madilynn of Lebanon, New Hampshire; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by Joyce in 2007 after 38 years of marriage; and daughter Dawn (Holden) Berry in 2012; also, his brother, Stanwood E. Holden, in 1989. In lieu of flowers, Wayne has requested that donations be made to: New Hampshire Audubon Society, Habitat for Humanity which serves the Colebrook area, and Wounded Warriors at 45th North. Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, 210 Main St., Lancaster. For more information or to send an online condolence, please go to www.baileyfh.net.

Avatar photo

As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.