David Holden

David Johnston Holden, age 80, passed away at his home in Littleton while surrounded by his loving wife and family on August 14, 2011. David was born August 15, 1930, in Shirley Center, Mass., son of Robert H. J. and Eleanor H. (Harley) Holden. Here he grew up with siblings Robert (deceased), Mary, and Harley. He attended the Center School in Shirley and later Fitchburg High School. He graduated from Harvard College, the Class of 1952, followed by service as a lieutenant in the U. S. Coast Guard. He married Jean Marie Wostbrock, whom he met as a teenager at Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine. They settled in Littleton where they raised their four children Carol, Linda, David, and Richard. Many remember Dave as Vice President of the former George Frost Company. He later became CEO and President of Ampac Enterprises, better known as All-Star Sporting Goods, also located in Shirley, Mass. Outside of work, David had a strong passion for the outdoors and for beautifying his surroundings with landscaping and gardening projects. Together with his sister and brothers, he oversaw the Holdenwood Wildlife Refuge, an area in Shirley protected from development and landscaped with numerous gardens he planted and stonewalls and stone bridges he built. It is the site of the Ayer/Shirley Educational Foundations Annual October 5k Trail Race. Mr. Holden is also known for the restoration of the President Suspender Building in Shirley, Mass., as well as the Old Shirley Police and Fire Station. Both are adorned with seasonal decorations and lights that are enjoyed by many. David will be remembered for his strong commitment to his family. He especially enjoyed family times together in Maine where he first met and later proposed to his wife Jean, whom he has been married to for almost 60 years. He is survived by his loving wife Jean M. (Wostbrock) Holden, as well as his children and their spouses, Carol E. and Stanley M. Jurga, Sr. of Shirley, Linda M. and Steven J. Rooney of Littleton, David J. and Piyalak (Buachan) Holden of Lunenburg, and Richard H. Holden and Susan P. Marshall of Maynard; his sister Mary (Holden) Chase and brother Harley P. Holden both of Shirley. He is also survived by his grandchildren Stanley M. Jurga, Jr., and wife Megan B. Callahan, Sara J. (Jurga) and husband Paul V. Tortorici, Brad D. Jurga, Michael S. Rooney, Kristen E. Rooney, Mark R. Rooney, Andrew D. Holden, Amanda J. Holden, William J. Holden, and Aliya B. Holden; and great-grandchild Madelyn M. Jurga. In 1993 he was predeceased by his brother, Atty. Robert Holden of Shirley. He also leaves behind his large All-Star family with whom he has worked for many years, some for as long as 45 years. As recently as three weeks ago, Dave was continuing to work at the company he so loved. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 AM Friday, August 19, 2011 at St. Anthonys Church, 14 Phoenix Street, Shirley. Burial will be in Center Cemetery, Shirley. Calling hours are 4-7 Thursday at the T.J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road (Rte 2A ) Ayer. Please see www.andersonfuneral.com for additonal information.