Grant Holly

GENEVA - Grant Holly, Father, Brother, Partner, Grandfather, and the longest serving Faculty member of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday (November 8, 2022). He was 78 years old.
Grant was born on Staten Island, N.Y. on July 14, 1944, the son of the late Grant W. "Red" and Marjorie I. "Midge" Holly. He graduated from Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pa., received his undergraduate education at Wesleyan University, and earned his PHD from the University of Rochester. Grant accepted a teaching position at HWS in 1970 where he remained for the next 52 years, leaving behind a legacy of generations of students whose lives were profoundly impacted by his love of teaching.
Everyone he encountered knew his humor was his superpower. Always witty, and current, brimming with facts and stories, Grant was the guest everyone wanted at the dinner or cocktail party. Grant's passion was teaching and advising. Maybe his proudest achievement was the hundreds of students he mentored that went on to great success, and often became treasured friends. Grant also loved traveling. He made frequent trips to Los Angeles for his side business of writing and producing, took cruises all over the world, and went on countless wilderness hikes turning over rocks and logs all the while to see what he surprised. A good cigar lakeside watching the sunset, or a Yankee win made his day.
Grant is survived by his daughter, Lauren Holly; and his son, Nick Holly; grandchildren, Alexander, George and Henry; his loving partner of over 20 years, Susan Wertman Sullivan; his brother, Charles "Chuck" Holly; sister-in law, Penny Martin-Holly; mother of his children, Michael Ann Holly; and many cousins.
In addition to his parents, Grant was preceded in death by his son, Alexander Innes Holly.
Friends, family and colleagues are invited to a celebration of Grant's life on Friday (November 18) at 2 p.m. at The Scandling Center, Hobart William Smith Colleges.
Grant's family requests any memorial contributions be directed to https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/10855/donations/new
and select designation The "A" Fund to contribute to the scholarship for architectural students set up by Grant and his family in honor of his son, Alexander Holly, who aspired to be an architect himself.