Photo courtesy of Spinelli - Ricciuti Funeral Home - Ansonia
Ansonia, Connecticut
Dec 24, 1943 – Sep 22, 2020 (Age 76)
DERBY: John D. “Jack” Holzer Jr., 76, a resident of Derby for fifty-one years, peacefully entered into eternal rest on September 22, 2020, in the comfort of his home, with his loving family by his side. He was the beloved and devoted husband of Rosemary Benanto Holzer.
Jack was born in New Haven on December 24, 1943, son of the late John D. Holzer Sr. and Clare Derbacher Holzer. After graduating high school, he entered the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Era. Following his honorable discharge, he continued to serve his country by joining the U.S. Air National Guard 103rd Tactical Unit in Orange, CT where he retired from his military career as a Senior Master Sergeant and First Sergeant after thirty-one years. His civilian career in the U.S. Postal Service began in Hamden as a letter carrier and worked through the ranks serving in many towns, including, Post Master in Stevenson, Supervisor in Milford and retired as Post Master in Naugatuck. He was the owner of the Orangewood Travel Agency in Orange from 1991 until 2003 and owned a private driving service since 1974 until his illness. He was also the proud owner of the former On Deck Circle Sports Memorabilia in Shelton. Jack was a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers and attended games in Green Bay each year. He was also an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox. He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 19 and enjoyed traveling the world with his wife.
In addition to his wife Rosemary, he is survived by loving daughters, Lori Balawajder (Steven) of Manalapan, NJ and Debra Peccerillo (Anthony) of Derby, cherished grandchildren, Jack Peccerillo, Nicholas Balawajder, Cara Peccerillo and Allison Balawajder, caring sisters, Carol Dilello (Dominick) of Hamden and Kathleen Mitchell (Irving) of Cheshire and several nieces and nephews.
A walk-through visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 25, 2020, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the chapel of the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. Visitors are asked to wear masks and physical distance as they walk through, pay their respects and exit without lingering to ensure all guests can come through. On Saturday, his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am (Meet Directly) at St. Mary’s Church, 212 Elizabeth Street in Derby. Interment with U.S. Air Force military honors will immediately follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery in Derby. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to Project Purple (an organization created to raise awareness, support patients and families affected by pancreatic cancer and fund research efforts to defeat this disease) at www.projectpurple.org or by mail at 115 Main Street, Suite 1, Seymour, CT 06483. To sign Jack’s guest book or share a memory, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
Read MoreRosemary and family,
My deepest condolences for your loss. I have a lot of great memories of Jack from the SLU days. A true gentleman and will be sorely missed by many.
David Donofrio
November 02, 2020 | Southbury, CT | Friend
Dear Rosemary, Lori, Debra, Kathie & Carol,
Deepest condolences regarding your loss of Jack. What a great guy he was and always will be! From picnics, to holidays, to Jack taking the time time to have dinner with me in Richmond as he drove by. Always was a pleasure to see him and speak with him. He treated others just as God wants us all to treat others. My dad adored him too! God hears the cries of the broken hearted. May you all be restored by God and the love Jack had for you and all...
Mike Kelo
October 18, 2020 | Chesterfield, VA | Friend
Jack was a delight to know. His smile, positive outlook, laugh and helpfulness was so much a part of our travel plans. Always a hug...always good conversation...always a blessing to be with. Our deepest sympathy to Rosemary and his family. Through his conversations it was clear that they were such a joy to him. We are sure he will be missed by many.
Bert and Martha Weisbart
October 01, 2020 | Orange, CT | Friend
Dear Family Holzer,
As a son of Walburga Derbacher Lutz, I would like to express our deepest sympathy to you for the loss of your beloved husband, father, brother, grandpa and uncle. Having met Jack Holzer in Landstuhl, where he served in the armed forces, I remember him as a very sympathetic guy, being strongly in love with his beloved lady.
Hoping you will pass this hard times in a decent manner we express all our deepest condolences.
On behalf of my sister...
Wolfgang Lutz
September 29, 2020 | Bad Homburg, Germany | Family
Jack was my friend and that of my family--my late spouse Carol and my children Laura and Chris--for decades. He kindly drove me and often the four of us countless times to and from JFK. He was such a wonderful person, so intelligent, responsible, resourceful, and caring, and with so many interests and a fine family. We talked sports, above all about his beloved Packers and the Red Sox,, and much else and laughed and laughed. We always looked forward so much to seeing and...
john Merriman
September 28, 2020 | North Haven, CT | Friend
We will miss Jack. What a nice man. Always helpful, always a smile and a hug for us. Jack's last run for us, was to pick Matthew up at JFK airport. He picked him and his friend up, brought Matt home and out of the goodness of his heart, brought Matthew's friend home in New Haven at 1:00 a.m. I tried to give him a tip, he wouldn't take it. I thanked him for doing such a sweet thing and I'll never forget what he said, "Anything for my Notre Dame brother's." A special man. I am sure an...
Frances and Michael McManus
September 26, 2020 | Derby, CT | Friend
Jack was a prince. He was always -- and I do mean always -- in good spirits when he came to take me on a trip. Jack was a master of stories and full of good conversation on a wide range of topics. Of course, showing interest in his Packers or Red Sox was duly rewarded with stories and analysis. He could make the beginning of a day bright and the end of the day, after a long set of meetings or a long trip, restful and restorative.
Jack was kind and generous. He did his best...
Al Klevorick
September 26, 2020 | Branford, CT | Friend
Jack was a wonderful man and a very nice person . We will miss his friendly smile . Although we knew him through his work , we thought of him as a friend . He helped us in our frequent trips to Florida and was always dependable, thoughtful and caring.
Marsha and James Corcoran
James and Marsha Corcoran
September 25, 2020 | Matunuck, RI | Friend
Wishing you all great comfort. Jack was wonderful about keeping family connected even across the continents. So sorry for the loss. The ripples of his passing will be felt across the miles. Brigitte and Elliott
Brigitte Folz
September 25, 2020 | Seattle, WA | Family
