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John Holladay Obituary
Professor Emeritus John (Jack) Holladay, B.Sc., Th.D., passed away peacefully at Toronto East General Hospital, late on September 23, 2016.
Jack was the loving husband of Phyllis (Graham) Holladay, who left us far too early in 1993, the beloved father of Karen (Rick Owens), Kim (Martin Lenters) and Scott (Susan Holladay) and doting grandfather to Allison, Carolyn, Lindsey, Siobhan, Kelsey, Sean, Benjamin and Simon. He is survived by his brother, Robert Holladay of Springfield, Illinois and his sister, Anna Marie Matteson of Battle Lake, Minnesota.
Born in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 1930 to the Reverend John S. Holladay and Gladys Marie Carder Holladay, who were Presbyterian missionaries, Jack grew up in Thailand, then attended boarding school in India. He returned to Thailand just before the Japanese invasion and his entire family walked out of Thailand on the Burma Road ahead of the invaders. They got out on the last passenger ship to safely run a gamut of submarines as they returned to the United States.
He married Phyllis Graham in 1953, shortly after joining the Air Force and was posted to Alaska as an in-air radar observer. Shortly after the birth of their son Scott, they left Alaska and Jack began to study for the ministry at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. Near the end of his time in Chicago, Jack won an essay contest which allowed him to work under the great archaeologist G. Ernest Wright.
After graduating with a Th.D from Harvard Divinity School, he worked at Princeton University before joining the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Toronto. He was one of the investigators at Tel Gezer, where he supervised the excavation of the city's Solomonic Gate. Jack loved his time in U of T, one of his main achievements being his landmark dig in the Nile Delta, the Wadi Tumilat Project, in which he was assisted in both field and lab work by his wife, Phyllis. His later years included a "disruptive" study of King David, Middle Eastern trade networks and the economy of ancient Israel and Judah.
Prior to their move to Toronto, Jack and his family purchased a cottage in South Bristol, Maine. Over the years, they formed many enduring friendships in the village, which became their principal refuge and retreat.
Jack and his family joined Kingston Road United Church shortly after their arrival in Toronto, which became an important focus in their lives. He was an active choir member for decades and loved and was loved by the choir director and his fellow choir members.
Undaunted by a diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer's in his 80th year, Jack continued to live his life with love, dedication, purpose and style. He continued to assist with the publication of his work, facilitated by the wonderful support of his colleagues in Near Eastern Studies and was a loving father, grandfather and friend to those around him. Heartfelt thanks to Team Jack (particularly Sally and Pinkie) for their dedicated and compassionate support through the last few months of his life.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 26th, at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Road, Toronto. His ashes will be interred alongside the remains of his wife Phyllis in South Bristol, during the summer of 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Holladay
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30 Entries
Meggie Macdonald
October 22, 2016
My deepest sympathies to your family. I had the good fortune to participate in a work-study program with Jack back in 2004 and it was such a pleasure to work with someone who was so genuinely kind and so quietly fascinated by the work he did. I'll miss him.
Susan Stock
October 18, 2016
I was only Prof. Holladay's student briefly in the early '70s, but he never forgot a face and always greated me like we were good friends and colleagues! When you saw his smile, you knew everything was going to be ok!
Will miss it.
Jo Bradley
October 18, 2016
Jack was the first person I met when I returned to Canada from the Middle East to begin my undergraduate degree in Near Eastern Archaeology. He tried to dissuade me from my chosen path, but I went ahead and got my BA anyway! He was a great teacher and friend. He was passionate about archaeology. I will miss him. My condolences to his family.
Susan Allen
October 8, 2016
Had the chance to meet him at my first field school and subsequently in Egypt to compare notes and value his publications
Suzanne Onstine
October 6, 2016
As a student in his graduate seminars he was challenging, but he made it easy to be his friend. He was one of the first people to be kind to me in Toronto - for no reason other than that's just who he was. He was kind, helpful, and funny. Generations of students are better for having had him as an example.
October 6, 2016
Jack was a wonderful colleague and friend. Harvard, Shechem, Gezer, ASOR Strong! A scholar's scholar. One of the good guys!
I will miss you Jack! Rest in peace!
Dale Manor
October 5, 2016
A great man, who exhibited brilliance and humility. I had the privilege to meet him on several occasions and he was always gracious and helpful. He will be missed.
Karen Holladay
October 4, 2016
Our father was a wonderful and remarkable man, and we are grateful that so many have had the benefit of knowing him, learning from him and witnessing his humanity and humility. We are also grateful for the many comments and stories people have posted. Thank you.
Serge Avery
October 4, 2016
I was lucky enough to study under Jack as a young graduate student between 1990-92. His insatiable curiosity, professionalism and kindness really left an impression on me and allowed me to grow as a scholar. I also remember his erudition, wit and sharp sense of humor. He was a true gentleman- scholar and he will be missed by anyone lucky enough to have spent some quality time with him. My condolences to his family.
Stanley Klassen
October 3, 2016
I never had the fortune of taking classes with Jack as I arrived at NMC after he "retired". However, I got to know him well over the years, and was blessed with the opportunity of being able to work closely with Jack on his various publication projects. Jack's determination never waned, nor did his wit. He often described himself as a tube of toothpaste and introduced me as the guy who was there to squeeze the last bit out. I, along with so many will miss him.
My heartfelt condolences to Kim, Scott, Karen, and the family.
Bryant Wood
October 1, 2016
Dear Karen, Kim, Scott and families,
I was a PhD student under Jack from 1975 to 1985. I believe I was his first PhD graduate. I participated in the Tell el-Maskhuta excavation in 1979, 1981 and 1983. Jack was a wonderful teacher, mentor and friend. He set a high standard as a scholar and was a role model for his students to follow. He will be greatly missed.
Thomas Petter
September 30, 2016
Dear Holladay family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. While I never had the pleasure of taking classes with Jack, he sat on my dissertation defense committee in 2005 at UofT NMC and I had many interactions with him while as a student and afterward as well. I will always remember Jack for his kindness and warmth and of course his incredibly sharp grasp of the data and keen interpretive mind. His influence upon many in the field of Near Eastern archaeology and biblical studies continues to this day.
Tom Petter
Chair of the Division of Biblical Studies
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
South Hamilton, MA 01982
Brian Janeway
September 30, 2016
My condolences to the family. I have known Jack since 2001 when I first visited U of T seeking doctoral programs in archaeology. He was kind and generous to me that day, and for many years during my studies in Toronto, culminating in 2013 when he participated in my Ph.D defense, which I believe was his last. May he rest in peace!
Kei Yamamoto
September 29, 2016
I knew Jack when I was a PhD student at the University of Toronto. Although he was already retired, he was in his office every single day. I will miss his excellent advice and good sense of humour.
September 28, 2016
So sorry for your loss. I never had the pleasure of meeting Jack. I wish I could have!
Jacke Phillips
September 28, 2016
.So sad to hear this. He was an inspiring teacher and I learned so much from him before and after I left Toronto. He always had time to talk about anything and everything whenever I was back in TO and we met up most years. The one who made me change my thesis text, from 'apes' to "apes" (in quotation marks). He leaves behind a great legacy of students and friends. I learned so much from him, including how to think.
Lou Levine
September 27, 2016
I was fortunate to be a colleague of Jack's at U. of T. for 20 years. Throughout that time, he was a class act - always growing, always helpful, always kind, always open to new ideas and new friends. We were luck enough to have him visit us in the Berkshires a few years ago, and to pick up where we had left off a quarter-century earlier.
I will miss him, and sned the family sincere condolences. .
Jonathan Ferguson
September 27, 2016
Jack was a teacher, a mentor, and especially a friend. I'll remember best our lunches in the lab (Jack brought the near beer!) with talk ranging from King David to Cold War aircraft. I'm proud to have served as one of his sounding boards for whatever theory he was pursuing, a role he was enthusiastic to perform for me in return. He will be sorely missed by us at the U of T, and our deepest condolences go to his family.
September 27, 2016
Dear members of Jack's family,
I have known Jack for a very long time, and was also the facilitator in Cairo when he worked at Maskhuta. He was truly a good man, funny and prescient, a good friend, and a wonderful colleague. I will miss him.
Ron Leprohon
Richard Drygas
September 26, 2016
I worked with Jack (John) Holladay on the Wadi Tumilat Project (1981 - 1985) in Egypt and as a office helper at the University of Toronto. Those work hours put me through school at Ryerson Polytechnic.
Jack was a very kind man, I'll not forget him.
David Bell
September 26, 2016
Dear Scott,
I'm so very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Having lost my mother to Alzheimer's, I can truly relate to the great tragedy this disease represents. Please accept my deepest sympathies and prayers during this difficult time for you and your family.
Thomas Greiner
September 26, 2016
I met Dr Holladay during the 2012 SSEA colloquium and was privileged to give a talk in a session dedicated to him. He is a wonderful scholar and his dedication will sorely be missed. All the best in your journey to the west
Pierre de Miroschedji
September 26, 2016
Sad news. Jack was a distinguished, respected and fine colleague. He hosted me once in Toronto in the early 80s and I keep a fond memory of this visit. I was glad each time we met again over the years. May his memory be blessed.
Kento Zenihiro
September 26, 2016
I first met him on Nov. 4th, 2011, when I participated to the 2011 SSEA/SÉÉA Scholars' Colloquium.
That was my first participation to the colloquium and I was like a stranger there. After the day I read my paper finished, he escorted me to the small guesthouse where I stayed. We two walked for 10-15 min. in a cold calm night.
I noticed he was unhealthy then.
After we arrived at the guesthouse he then turned to the opposite direction. I asked him how long will it take to his own home on foot, and he replied, 'about an hour'.
Yes, he was gentle enough to take me to the accommodation which is located on the opposite direction to his home, in an unhealthy condition!
I was taught how to behave and I thought I would like to be like gentle him when I get old. Really!
Certainly he (and other SSEA members) changed my philosophy a bit.
September 26, 2016
Professor Holladay was a true scholar, a valued colleague, and a gentle man. His impact on students and his profession was profound, and will be lasting.
Maxine R. Kleindienst, Mississauga, Ontario
Andrew Graham
September 26, 2016
My condolences to all the family. Jack was a great mentor and when I went back to grad school as a mature student - he made that transition enjoyable (if not memorable!!) and taught me the true meaning of archaeological ceramics! May he rest in peace...his legacy lives on in all of the many students he taught during his career - he will be missed but remembered always.
Jack in 2000 at the SSEA Annual Meeting with his door prize, a cat-shaped bottle of wine
Lyn Green
September 26, 2016
My memories of Jack go back a number of decades, and many of the fondest ones involve his quirky sense of office organization and sense of fun. I know that all who knew him will miss him greatly.
David Lipovitch
September 26, 2016
Jack was instrumental in my becoming an archaeologist and in shaping the way I think. He was always supportive and helpful. We have lost a superb teacher, a great scholar, and a mensch (an admirable person of integrity and honour).He was a sage; may his memory be blessed.
Bruce Routledge
September 26, 2016
Jack was my Ph.D. supervisor (1989-1996) and both my most insightful critic and strongest supporter during a highly formative stage of my life. I owe him my professional career. More importantly, I owe him for showing me that one could be intellectually demanding and deeply compassionate at the same time. He will be remembered as an original, creative and committed scholar who was also very human and very humane. I will miss him greatly. My condolences to the family.
Emerson Grossmith
September 26, 2016
I did my BA and MA at U of T in Near Eastern Studies with the emphasis on archaeology. I did my undergrad and master classes with him and my research paper under his wise tutelage. He also helped me through a rough emotional stretch of time in 1995-6 when my mother succumbed to pancreatic cancer. I told him I grew up in Kew Beach and I knew where he lived. He never told me he went to Kingston Rd. United. My family went to Bellefair and my brother and I did Youth Services at Kingston Rd.in the late 60s early 70s United when Mac Percival was the Minister. We did those under Don Kidd along with John and Rosemary Anderson who all went to Kingston Rd.
My condolences are with Doc Holladay's family--a great mentor, spiritual guide and awesome professor--he also gave us the hardest darn exams ever.
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