Richard G. Holley

Richard G. Holley of 2220 Mecklenburg Road, Ithaca, passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 15, 2009 at the age of 76.

Born in Enfield, New York on April 30, 1933, Richard was the son of the late Howard and Minnie (Whitaker) Holley. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1951. Following graduation, Richard went to work for Marathon Metal and Ames Welding Company in Ithaca before joining the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 267 in Syracuse where he worked for 50 years before retiring.

Richard was very active in his community where he served as an Enfield Volunteer Fireman and EMT for 26 years. He also was a member of the Enfield Town Board and served on the task force for the Ithaca Board of Education. In Richard's leisure time, he enjoyed gardening, woodworking, welding, dancing, and hunting. Richard loved his family and friends unconditionally and will be deeply missed.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Marilyn Neilson Holley. He is survived by his four daughters, Debi (Rick) Sumner of Enfield, Patricia (Carmen) Calabrese of Geneva, Betty Lou (Andy) van Tienhoven of Mattydale, and Chris (Les) Crawford of Newfield; seven grandchildren, Tonie Lynn and Amanda Secor, Reinian, Kyle, and Cameron van Tienhoven, PFC Roy Crawford and youngest granddaughter Mariah. He is also survived by one brother, Robert H. (Linda Wyllie) Holley of Enfield; two sisters, Helena (William) Goodwin of Ithaca, and Margaret Rumsey of Newfield; one brother-in-law, Claire (Peg) Neilson of Norristown, PA, three sister-in-laws, Peg Holley of Ovid, Katherine Neilson of Latham, and Betty Neilson of Marathon; and many neices and nephews along with their extended familes and countless friends.

Richard was also pre-deceased by three brothers, Raymond, Francis and Harland Holley; three sisters, Mildred Rumsey, Marian Lovelace, and Doris Oakley; brother-in-laws, Jared and Orvil Rumsey, Carl Lovelace, Francis Oakley, Donald and Roger Neilson, and John Zupancic Jr.; sister-in-laws Virginia Holley and Elenor Zupancic; neice Anita Oakley and nephew John Zupancic III.

The family will be present to receive friends from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Thursday, May 21 at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. Funeral Services will begin at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 22 at the Trumansburg United Methodist Church with the Reverend Nelson Reppert officiating. Prayers of committal will follow at Enfield Christian Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Richard's memory to kindly consider the Enfield Volunteer Fire Department, 172 Enfield Main Rd., Ithaca, New York 14850.