Obituary for Douglas Paul "Choo Choo Holmes" Holmes
Otter Creek, Maine
Douglas Paul Holmes, 77, of Otter Creek, Maine, died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 26th, 2022, at his home in Englewood, Florida. Born on May 26, 1944, in Biddeford, Maine, Doug was the third son and fourth child of Bernard L. and Alice (Buzzell) Holmes.
Doug was raised in the small village of Otter Creek, Maine and graduated from Mount Desert High School in 1963, where he excelled athletically. He attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle for one year before transferring to Thomas College, earning an associate degree in accounting in 1965. Doug then moved to Massachusetts, spending the majority of his adult life in Ipswich and Gloucester. He worked as an accountant at both the AC Lawrence Leather Company and Salem Hospital. He finished his career as a conductor on the “Purple Line”, Boston’s Commuter Rail, earning the nickname Choo Choo Holmes. Six years spent serving in the Air Force National Guard were also a source of great pride for Doug.
A lifelong bachelor, Doug valued relationships with family and friends above all else. He was exceedingly generous-with his time, his resources, and his love. He was quick to treat visitors to a lobster feed or to offer his nieces and nephews advice about driver safety and car maintenance. He loved children and they loved him back. He spent many summer afternoons teaching his grand nieces and nephews to fish. Doug was an avid Boston sports fan, the family historian, and lover of antique cars. Traveling to car shows all over New England and Florida, showing off his prized 1960 red Austin Healey convertible, was his favorite pastime. Doug loved to socialize and dance. Most Thursday nights he could be found at a local watering hole enjoying live music with friends.
Doug is survived by his longtime companion, Judy Manchester of PA, his sisters, Sandra (Holmes) Modeen of Otter Creek and Bernadette (Holmes) Moulton and her husband Paul of GA, his brother, Terrance F. Holmes and his wife Wenke of Atkinson, NH, nephews, William Modeen (Pamela) of Boise, ID and Michael Modeen of Franklin, ME, nieces, Kelly McCloud of GA, Heidi Sifferlen (Eric) of Concord, MA, Katrine Campbell (Stephen) of Reading, MA, and Britt Santamaria (John) of Portsmouth, NH, and many grand nieces and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Alice, brother, George Ronald Holmes, nephew, Christopher George Moulton and grandnephew Joshua McInvale. Additionally, he leaves behind many dear friends to whom he was most loyal and devoted.
A graveside service will be held 11 am, June 24, 2022 at Otter Creek Cemetery. Donations in his name can be made to the Otter Creek Cemetery Association, c/o Karen Zimmerman, 11 Grover Ave. Otter Creek, ME 04660, or to a charity of your choosing.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Douglas Paul Holmes, 77, of Otter Creek, Maine, died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 26th, 2022, at his home in Englewood, Florida. Born on May 26, 1944, in Biddeford, Maine, Doug was the third son and fourth child of Bernard L. and Alice (Buzzell) Holmes.
Doug was raised in the small village of Otter Creek, Maine and graduated from Mount Desert High School in 1963, where he excelled athletically. He attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle for one year before transferring to Thomas College, earning an associate degree in accounting in 1965. Doug then moved to Massachusetts, spending the majority of his adult life in Ipswich and Gloucester. He worked as an accountant at both the AC Lawrence Leather Company and Salem Hospital. He finished his career as a conductor on the “Purple Line”, Boston’s Commuter Rail, earning the nickname Choo Choo Holmes. Six years spent serving in the Air Force National Guard were also a source of great pride for Doug.
A lifelong bachelor, Doug valued relationships with family and friends above all else. He was exceedingly generous-with his time, his resources, and his love. He was quick to treat visitors to a lobster feed or to offer his nieces and nephews advice about driver safety and car maintenance. He loved children and they loved him back. He spent many summer afternoons teaching his grand nieces and nephews to fish. Doug was an avid Boston sports fan, the family historian, and lover of antique cars. Traveling to car shows all over New England and Florida, showing off his prized 1960 red Austin Healey convertible, was his favorite pastime. Doug loved to socialize and dance. Most Thursday nights he could be found at a local watering hole enjoying live music with friends.
Doug is survived by his longtime companion, Judy Manchester of PA, his sisters, Sandra (Holmes) Modeen of Otter Creek and Bernadette (Holmes) Moulton and her husband Paul of GA, his brother, Terrance F. Holmes and his wife Wenke of Atkinson, NH, nephews, William Modeen (Pamela) of Boise, ID and Michael Modeen of Franklin, ME, nieces, Kelly McCloud of GA, Heidi Sifferlen (Eric) of Concord, MA, Katrine Campbell (Stephen) of Reading, MA, and Britt Santamaria (John) of Portsmouth, NH, and many grand nieces and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Alice, brother, George Ronald Holmes, nephew, Christopher George Moulton and grandnephew Joshua McInvale. Additionally, he leaves behind many dear friends to whom he was most loyal and devoted.
A graveside service will be held 11 am, June 24, 2022 at Otter Creek Cemetery. Donations in his name can be made to the Otter Creek Cemetery Association, c/o Karen Zimmerman, 11 Grover Ave. Otter Creek, ME 04660, or to a charity of your choosing.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com