Thomas J. Holmes

HOLMES Thomas J Thomas J Holmes of Hillsborough, N.C., formerly of Albany, N.Y., age 75 years, passed away Sunday February 13, 2011 at Duke University Hospital in Durham, N.C. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and lived in Albany for over 60 years. Mr. Holmes retired as assistant to the New York State commissioner of civil service with over 25 years of state service. He was founder of the Almega House and the Almega Academy in Albany and developed and implemented a program at the Civil Service Department, minority group personnel specialist that paved the way and greatly expanded the diversity of the work force in New York State. He was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Susie Holmes and his brothers Paul and David Holmes. He was husband to M. Gerlene Ross-Holmes for 32 years; father of Derrick J. Holmes, Deidre Jackson, David Jackson, Yvette Simon, and Opha Holmes-Floyd; and grandfather to one grandchild, Chelsea E. Holmes. He is survived by one brother, Charles A. Holmes of Florida, and three sisters, Sarah Johnson of Albany, and Louise Quattlebaum and Eleanor Ford of Florida, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Chapel House on the campus of the State University of New York at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave., Saturday afternoon, on April 2, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Relatives and friends are invited. In lieu of expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the United Negro College Fund, Attn: Denise Scott, Direct Response Programs, 8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, P.O. Box 10444, Fairfax, Virginia 22031-8004. Obituary listed by last name on page at www.cremationsocietync.com.