Clarence A. "Clancy" Holland M.D.

Clarence A. "Clancy" Holland, M.D., died peacefully in Virginia Beach on November 11, 2023. He was 94 years old. Clancy was born June 21, 1929 in Windsor, Virginia to parents, Shirley T. and Gladys (Joyner) Holland. His father was a delegate in the Virginia House of Representatives for almost 30 years. Clancy grew up in Windsor with his three brothers, where he excelled in sports, leading to his accepting a full scholarship to play football at Hampden-Sydney College. He earned all-state and all-conference honors and after his senior year he was invited to try out for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League.

Clancy married his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Burton) Holland in 1952. They were married for a wonderful 62 years before Mary passed away in 2014. After they were married, Clancy accepted his service in the United States Navy, where he served at sea for 3 years before taking assignment as an Admiral's aide for one more year, leaving at the rank of Lieutenant.

After his military service, Clancy studied medicine in Richmond at the Medical College of Virginia, graduating with his MD in 1962. Dr. Holland practiced family medicine for 53 years in Virginia Beach, Virginia, retiring in 2013. During that practice, Dr. Holland and his three partners built a popular and successful practice. Dr. Holland was the recipient of many awards and honors, including nods from the American Medical Association, The Medical Society of Virginia, and the Virginia Family Practice Society, among others. Over the course of his career Dr. Holland did everything from delivering babies, to diagnosing and treating sick patients, all the while advocating for medical education. His love of medicine and strong belief in advocating for his patients and his community would eventually lead him to a career in politics.

Clancy served on several local boards in Virginia Beach before being elected to the City Council in 1970. Clancy served on the council, including 2 years as the Mayor of Virginia Beach, (and selected the 8th King Neptune of Virginia Beach's Neptune festival) for 12 years, before deciding to run for the 7th District Virginia State Senate seat in 1983. Winning that seat, Clancy Holland served for 12 years in the senate, continuing to practice medicine during all three terms. His work in politics helped to create numerous programs and policies that live on today, including bills on public safety, beach conservation, transportation, and advocating for the creation of the Virginia Marine Science Museum, (today, the Virginia Aquarium).

In his retirement, Clancy remained active in both medicine and politics, but also spent many wonderful hours with his family. Clancy and Mary had three amazing daughters, Adrian Bishop (John), Beth Saladino (Chris), and Caci Gilden (Rick). Adrian passed away in 2015. Clancy loved seeing his 6 grandchildren, Jack (Samantha), Jake (Ciera), Lucy, Grant, Ellie, and Hannah, as well as great grandchildren, Riley, and Declan. Lucy Saladino passed away in 2009.

Dr. Holland was predeceased by his parents, Shirley and Gee Gee; brothers, Shirley Jr., William (Bill), and Richard Holland; daughter, Adrian Bishop and granddaughter, Lucy Saladino.

A public celebration of Clancy's life will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at Bayside Presbyterian Church, 1400 Ewell Rd. Virginia Beach, Virginia. Refreshments and fellowship will follow at the church. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home is serving the family.

Dr. Holland's generosity was felt by so many people in so many ways but among his favorite causes were the Virginia Aquarium and The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in honor of Clancy Holland to either: The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center: https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/support/save-the-ocean.The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Virginia Chapter https://www.cff.org/chapters/virginia-chapter.

To all who knew Clancy Holland, we remind you of the words he often said and words he truly lived by: Be good to your family, your community, and your church.