John Anthony "Tony" Holmes

It is with a heavy heart that we share with you that John "Tony" Anthony Holmes, 67, of Watertown, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025. John "Tony" Anthony Holmes was born October 13, 1958, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the son of Byron Edward Holmes and Jackie June (née Lambrecht) Holmes. He graduated from Central Memorial High School in Calgary in 1976 and attended the University of Calgary.

Tony enjoyed a distinguished career as a project manager within the oil pipeline industry. His professional expertise took him across the globe, spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South America, Norway, Africa, Australia, Canada and the US.

While his career took him across many borders, it was during his time in the Middle East that his love and great respect of the sport of rugby began (and his love of Rugby jerseys) including an exciting time traveling throughout the Middle East playing rugby for Qatar's International Rugby Team and later with Doha Rugby FC, a prominent club in Qatar.

Tony led an active life, his passion for sports continued throughout his life. He was an enthusiastic and proud follower of his nephew Cole's NHL career playing for the Ottawa Senators and now the Vegas Golden Knights. He looked forward to checking Cole's stats every morning. He adopted the Green Bay Packers long before living in Wisconsin and became a Wisconsin Badger and Milwaukee Brewer fan as well. He was notably proud of his dual Canadian/US citizenship, once moving to Watertown embracing it as his home. A member of the Watertown Country Club he enjoyed golf and loved sharing stories of his many travels. Tony's true legacy lives on through his nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly and of whom he was extremely proud.

Tony is survived by the love of his life, Jeanne Pagel; his sister, Shauna Lynn (Doug) Reinhardt; his brother, Byron Alexander (Deborah) Holmes; and his niece and nephews, Dr. Chad (Dr. Katie) Holmes, Fraser (Sydney) Holmes, Dr. Marcus (Bekah) Holmes, Emma (Keegan) Smith, and Cole (Gracie Lahey) Reinhardt. He is also survived by his grand-nieces and grand-nephews, Eve, Isla, Maren, Wyatt, Clark, Ruby, Liam, Conor, Charlotte and Augustus; his aunt, Marianne (Joe) Lyons; and his cousin, Sean (Monique) Lyons. Tony is also survived by Jeanne's mom, Audrey Pagel who loved him dearly.

Born and raised in Calgary Alberta, Tony was a true cowboy at heart. He will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, unique sense of humor and flair for fashion, he touched so many lives in such a special way. His many friendships in Watertown, Canada and across the globe are a true testament of the man he was.

Thank you for the beautiful life we shared, forever in my heart, forever by my side

A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Watertown, WI on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Carina Schiltz officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. For those asking how to help, in lieu of flowers, contributions to Jeanne would be sincerely appreciated to help cover funeral expenses during this time.