Birth date: Oct 20, 1924 Death date: Mar 27, 2014
Thomas W. Holly, age 89, of Mesa, AZ formerly of Waupaca passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2014 at his residence under the care of Hospice. Tom was born in Fond du Lac, WI on October 20, 1924, the son of the late Roy and Mabel (G Read Obituary
Mr. Holly was generous enough to offer me my very first job in funeral care. Spring of 1982, it was. More than thirty years later, I recall fondly the time I worked for him in Waupaca, as well as remembering the gentleman that he was. I wish peace to those he leaves behind, and also a thank you for sharing him with the rest of us.
Terryl Wolfrath
Funeral Director
Tom Holly was a very kind and gracious man. It's no surprise that he lived to be a ripe old age. I met him when I was an apprentice for Schmidt and Bartelt in Milwaukee ,around 1973. My wife and I were traveling to Waupaca to call for a person they had prepared for us. He gave us a tour of the funeral home and treated us like gold. On the way back we blew our engine and were towed back to Waupaca. Tom arranged for a livery service out of Oshkosh to drive us and our precious cargo back to Milwaukee.
As a lowly apprentice I really caught hell for blowing that engine.
Randall J. Mundt , Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, Altoona, Wisconsin
Tom Holly was a funny,engaging & kind man. I'm sure he will be missed dearly by his family & friends. May his love for life be an example to all of us. Heavens gates have opened and Tom has gotten his reward.
Kris Orr Laux
Tom had a huge influence on me growing up when he helped me with a geneology project I was working on. He took the time to help me out and was always available if a question came up. Waupaca has truly lost an icon. My heart goes out to the family.
Waupaca has lost one of the greatest guys ever known. He was the best dad ever, and treated everyone he came in contact with as an equal. He was the best storyteller, had the best ghost stories, and our town's best historian. Loved by all, and so respected by all. But, yet, he loved to have fun, and wanted everyone around him to have fun, too. I have so many great memories of the things he let us do in the funeral home, and he loved that we were having fun. Will never forget the time Rif poked a guy's nose in while we were playing around in the funeral home, and he was a little ticked, of course, I don't know if there were other consequences....but gad....it was the funniest, in a sick way, many of us ever witnessed. He even joked about his situation when we saw him 5 days before his passing. OMG....compared himself to a holocaust picture, but in a way that we had a hard time not laughing. What a guy.....loved by so many of us!!!
I was only 13 when my dad, Don Wied, passed away and it was a very difficult time for our whole family. Tom was right there for us and helped us through everything. He was one of the greatest men who ever came out of Waupaca. I don't know anyone who didn't like Tom. He helped us through many funerals through the years. We have been in touch for many years through Christmas Cards, Birthday Cards and phone calls. I learned so much history about Waupaca and the people in it from him in our phone conversations. He knew who was related to who. I always enjoyed talking to him. We always used to see Tom and Mary at Two Lakes, as we all enjoyed going there. The people who work at Holly's have always been so great too. They do a wonderful job. God Bless the Holly Family. You have our Sympathy, Sherry Wied Neidert & Family
I first met Tom when I was working for at the Waupaca Floral. We used to deliver flower urns to the cemetery around Memorial Day. Whenever we couldn't find a grave we would stop at the funeral home and Tom would always know exactly where it was located. He would direct us to turn right at the Evenson Bench or turn left at some other landmark and go past some family plot that he remembered by heart. I later worked for he and Les Jenner at Holly Ambulance. When he decided to retire, Tom gave me an opportunity to buy the ambulance service. I was 25 years old at the time. Sometimes someone very special comes along and gives you an opportunity that changes your life. Tom was a very special person and was always kind to everyone. I don't remember a day he wasn't smiling. Waupaca was lucky to have him and he will be missed by all who knew him. He is with God now and probably helping out with Sunday sermons. My sympathy to the Holly family. Rest in Peace Tom.
Barry Tomaras
