Obituary of Michael J. “Mike” Holmes

Michael J. Holmes, 76, died on Saturday Dec. 18, 2004 at Compassionate Care Hospice at St. Clares Hospital in Dover, NJ. He was born and Raised in Paterson, NJ moving to Denville in 1957. Mike had been in the US Navy during WWII. He had graduated from Villanova University in Pa. with a BA in Business in 1952. He was Co-Owner of Richards and Holmes Real Estate Co. in Denville for many years. He is an Insurance Specialist and has been the Risk Manager for Denville Township, and Boonton Township. He also was an Insurance Agent with Henry O. Baker Ins. Co. of Dover, NJ. He has been very involved in the community serving on the Board for N.J. Center for Hospice Care, as well as Serving as a member of St. Clares Hospital Long Range Planning Committee, and he and his wife served as Co Chairs of the St. Clare's Harvest Festival in 1976. Together they had also served as Co-Chairs of Denvilles 75th Anniversary in 1987. He had coached Denville Little League Baseball, and P.A.L. Basketball. He was a member of St. Marys Church in Denville and has served as an Usher, Trustee and Coached CYO Basketball. He was a member of Dover Kiwanis Club and served as President in 1959. He was a member of Denville Pride Council and served as past President, the Denville Chamber of Commerce and had also been a past President.He had been a member of Denville Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow. He sits on the Board of St. Peters Village in Denville, and was a founding member of the Joey Bella Memorial Fund. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary E. nee Gardner, his children Michael and his wife Carmen Holmes of Palmyra, VA, Karen and her husband Michael Pengelski of Rock Hill, SC, Kevin Holmes and his Fianc Paige Jones of Richmond, VA. and Maureen Connelly of Denville. He is also survived by his cherished ten grandchildren, Erin, Patrick, Hannah, and Sean Holmes, Devin and Kiersten Holmes, Michael and Kayla Pengelski, and Noel and Scott Connelly, and his sister Mary Gulfo of Red Bank, NJ. Funeral from the Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave. Denville, NJ (www.normandean.com) on Thursday Dec.23, 2004 at 9:00 AM for a 10:00 AM Liturgy of Christian Burial Service at St. Marys Church in Denville, NJ. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Donations are being accepted to Joey Bella Memorial Fund 15 Myers Ave. Denville, NJ 07834.