Brian Keith Holmes

1956 - 2014

Brian Keith Holmes, 57, born and raised in Windsor Locks and currently of South Windsor, passed away peacefully on Tuesday at Hartford Hospital in the loving company of his family. In true Brian form, his positive attitude helped him to forge through his long, hard battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Hartford on October 15, 1956, Brian graduated from Suffield Academy in 1975 as an All American hockey player, avid golfer and varsity soccer captain. He was an all around team player and this trait was the foundation of who he truly was throughout his life. He also attended American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Brian was a 29-year employee of Stanadyne in Windsor and most recently a plant manager at Metal Seal Precision in Ohio. Brian is survived by his devoted wife of 35 years, Donna Cail Holmes. Together with Donna, Brian was an exceptionally devoted and loving parent to his two children, Keith, of Westfield, MA and Stephanie of Brooklyn, NY, and he was exceptionally proud of all they did. The happiest moments of his life were spent sitting with Donna in the stands cheering for their children, or together with family at "the lake." Brian is survived by his father Dean Holmes and his wife Joan in Florida; his sister Bobbi and Phil Johnson of Suffield, his sister Margie McDaniel in North Carolina; his brother Ted and wife, Paula of South Windsor; his brother Lenny and wife, Andrea of Suffield, and his daughter-in-law, Melinda, of Westfield, Massachusetts. He will also be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his sister and brother-in-law William and Gail Millerick of Plainville, his brother- in-law, Thomas Cail of Enfield, many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and definitely by Rudy, his faithful friend and four-legged companion. Brian is predeceased by his mother, Marie T and his sister Mimi Edmonds. Donna, Keith and Stephanie extend a special thank you to Ted and Paula, who opened their hearts and home to Donna and Brian, which made it possible to spend time with family and friends. Brian also cherished his friendship with Joseph Campanelli, Clarke Hood and Mark Teed and looked forward to their seasonal golf outings. Brian was a kind, friendly and genuinely warm human being who will be deeply missed by his family and many friends. We are fortunate that the very best of who he was shines on through Keith and Stephanie, the finest of legacies. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Saturday Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 42 Spring St., Windsor Locks. His family will receive friends, Friday Feb. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Windsor Locks Funeral Home, 441 Spring St., Windsor Locks. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Suffield Academy, 185 North Main Street, Suffield, CT 06078 or to "Ron's Run," The Ron Foley Foundation, Inc., 1000 Farmington Avenue, Ste. 108A, West Hartford, CT 06107. For online expressions of sympathy, to sign the memory book and to get directions at: www.windsorlocksfuneralhome.com