Carl J. Holod

Carl Joseph Holod, 78, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his beloved family on Monday, July 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. Carl was born on May 19, 1946, to Lucia Valente and Joseph Holod. He grew up in a deeply interconnected extended Italian family in South Philadelphia. His deepest value – family is everything – was instilled in him from these early days. Carl was a gifted chess and football player, an intellectual, and a lover of food, family, music, and art. He also loved to visit the Jersey Shore. He was a devoted father. He was a good man, a man of integrity. He was extremely generous, kind, funny, full of life, and full of love. He had a profound strength and a love for his family that was transformative. His children are proud to call him their father.
Carl received his Master of Business Administration from Temple University and was a teacher at Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia for several years. He continued his career in service to the Philadelphia community for the next 44 years by overseeing the recreational centers in the city, serving the diverse communities of youth, senior, and special needs populations who utilized their programs. He held a special place in his heart for the city's special needs populations and took pride in organizing numerous programs to serve these communities in the Northeast Philadelphia area. From Saturday morning programs and summer camps to the Special Olympics, he was their passionate advocate. Carl was a veteran of the Army Reserves and a member of AFSCME District Council 47. He is survived by his children and their partners: Veronica and Ted Vingless of Holland PA, Cayden Halligan and Brett Smith-Hams of Mt. Laurel NJ; his grandchildren, Teddy, and Lucia; two grand dogs, Luna, and Dorothy; and of course, by his Kate Halligan-Holod. He is also survived by his sister Maria Coffey, and her husband Tom Coffey of Turnersville, NJ; his nephews Brian Coffey of Turnersville, NJ, Eric Coffey of Largo Fl., and Danny Marshall of Weston, Fl.; his extended family, and his close friends. He was preceded in death by his sister Antoinette Marshall and her husband Dan. He will live on in our lives as we honor his memory in thoughts, prayers, and actions, striving to live life to the fullest, cultivate joy, eat good food, have fun, laugh often, and to remember that family is everything. We know he is watching over us and talking to us; while we may not see or hear him, we feel him and know his presence. We will stay open and look for the signs he sends. His memory is a blessing, his life was a blessing, and he will be terribly missed. All our love Dad, always.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024 from 6:00PM until 8:00PM and Wednesday, July 24th, 2024 from 9:00AM until 10:00AM at Louis A. DiGiacomo Funeral Home, Inc., 1055 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116, followed by his funeral mass at 11:00AM at St. Ephrem Church, 5400 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA 19020. Interment at Forest Hills Cemetery, 101 Byberry Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006.
The family would like everyone to share memories and photos at www.DiGiacomoFuneralHome.com