Carroll Hofeldt "Butch" Holst

1940 - 2022

Carroll H. Holst, Jr., 82, ("Butch") died Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, Alaska. Butch was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on March 29, 1940, the son of Carroll and Marguerite Holst.

He grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and spent summers at a family beach cottage at nearby Pleasure Beach. He attended St. Augustine's School and Fairfield Prep where he played football and basketball and graduated in 1958. He attended the University of Bridgeport before deciding to enlist in the United State Coast Guard and became engaged to his high school sweetheart 1959.

Starting off at Boot Camp as a Seaman, Butch's first assignment was "isolated duty" on Sitkinak Island, off the Aleutian Islands in Alaska supporting long-range radar & other systems as an Electronic Technician, while his fiancée kept herself busy as a dancer and a secretary at Smith, Ramsey Stockbrokers and learning to knit a gigantic sweater to keep him warm in Alaska! He married Janice Ann Daniels of Fairfield, Connecticut on September 30, 1961, and thus began their most incredible lifetime adventure.

Butch served at stations in New London, CT (1961-1963), attended the RCA Institute in New York City while living in New Dorp, Staten Island (1963-1965), then served at Fire Island, while living in Lindenhurst, Long Island, NY (1965-1967). During this period, they started their family of four children.

In 1967, Butch was assigned to serve as USCG Liaison Officer between the U.S. and Canada to support their shore-based radar systems and we were the only American family for three years alternating between St. Anthony and Trepassey, Newfoundland. Time in Newfoundland was a highlight in his career. The family loved it and the Canadians welcomed him with open arms. He coached a local basketball team to win a Regional Championship and a photo of the Team was still in a restaurant when he visited 40 years later!

In 1970, he was stationed at USCG Headquarters in Washington, DC for five years and commuted from their home in Woodbridge, Virginia. The entire family became heavily involved in sports with Butch coaching, and Janice teaching dance, while visiting all the wonderful historical sites in the area.

In 1975, he was transferred to Wildwood, New Jersey. He chose to live in beautiful Cape May just two blocks away from the pounding Atlantic Ocean. His young teenagers loved the beaches and the Boardwalk. Butch became a soccer coach, though he never played soccer himself, helping to start the first Youth League in Cape May County and igniting a multi-generation family interest in the sport which continues to this day. Janice continued to teach Dance, choreograph, and even created "The Grumpsicle" as a Holiday Extravaganza.

In 1978, his dream came true and he was assigned to USCG Headquarters in Juneau, Alaska. He made an epic family vacation of the trip, buying a green van and a six-person tent, and setting out on August 1st with the family dog, Blacky. The family arrived in Juneau on the Malaspina on August 18 at 5:30 AM. Nothing was open, so he drove all around town and stopped at the end of North Douglas where a black bear strolled by the van, seeming to welcome the family. He continued to coach soccer and supported his kids through every sport and activity and was always there for Janice's many Dance activities including 34 adventures of The Grumpsicle.

In 1979, tragedy struck when 15-year-old son Caje was diagnosed with bone cancer and Butch prioritized his family over his career. After two extensions in his Coast Guard post to support him, he decided to retire rather than to move the family while Caje was dealing with cancer. With a young family to support, he took accounting courses and started his own bookkeeping business. He also bought two motorcycles, enjoying the wind and rain in his face. The kids all went to college and got married. Very soon there were seven grandchildren under five, now there are 12 plus one great-grandson--Butch thinks they are all Great! His travels outside included South America, Central America, Yukon, Newfoundland, England, Iceland, and many states.

Some of his last words were of thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Valley Medical and Bartlett Hospital. He passed away in Juneau, surrounded by family. We will miss his friendly smile, silly jokes and sense of humor, favorite phrases, and the conversations in the neighborhood. He was an honorable and loving husband, son, father, and grandparent who was endlessly kind and generous.

Butch was preceded in death by his son, Carroll John ("Caje"), his parents Carroll and Marguerite (Peggy) Holst, and his brothers-in-law John Daniels and Walter Dunn. He left behind his wife of 60 3/4 years; siblings Missey Dunn and Peter (Judy); Daughter, Melinda; Sons Eric and Brian; Son-in-law Oscar; Daughters-in-law Amie, Estela, and Sandra. He was immensely proud of all his grandchildren Alex, Emily, Brian, Erika, Logan, Sydney, Katie, Ashlyn, Jasmin, Ian, Samuel, Martin, and great grandson Lorens.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 16th at 10 AM at the Co-Cathedral of the Nativity on 5th Street in Juneau. *A Celebration of Life reception will follow 11:30 AM at St. Ann's Hall next to the Cathedral. *ALL are welcome to one or both events. *You can reach the Family at holst@gci.net to share your memories or thoughts of Butch.