We had a cabin at Pawtuckaway Lake, a few miles from home. Many a happy summer was spent fishing, hiking, swimming and just being a young boy. (The picture on the Home Page Family link was taken at Pawtuckaway.)
After finishing High School (class of 1959), I attended the University of New Hampshire for a year and a half. Later, I joined the US Army as a Laboratory Tech and was stationed at Martin Army Hospital for the remainder of four years.
During my Army years, I met a lovely girl during Lab School at Fort Sam in Texas. After a few months of many phone calls, etc., she agreed to marry me. Paula was a very special part of my life.
After leaving the Army, Paula and I moved to Flint, Michigan where I worked at Flint General Hospital and later at Flint Physicians Lab. In 1985, I changed my career path and became an agent for American United Life Insurance Company which I am still an emeritus agent today.
During these years, Paula and I was blessed with five fine children. Marty, Heidi, Heather and Rebekah (twins) and Nathan. More on them later.
In 1996, Paula died after battling cancer for many years. She was an inspiration to all both in her life and in her death. It was a good 34 years with her and she left me with five great children.
Later, I met Cindy and in 2001 we became husband and wife. We moved to Crownsville, MD for three years and then to North Port, FL where we remain today. The Good Lord has blessed me in many ways, not the least of which, is a wonderful second wife.
Cindy was born February 1964 in Flint, MI. She was raised by her grand parents. She went to St. Luke Powers Catholic High School. She continued at Mott Community College in the Assoc. Criminal Justice program. She then went to Saginaw Valley State Univ. for her BA in Criminal Justice. Cindy went on to work in the Law Enforcement field for the next 15 years. During that time, she worked as an Officer and Dispatcher, specializing in plain clothes, domestic violence and sexual assault work. After moving to Florida, she now works as a custodian in the Sarasota Public School system.
MY FAMILY
First I must put in a plug for my brother's new book, Nutfield Rambles. Rick is truly a master storyteller and this book crowns his four previous. The link to the publisher, Peter E. Randall Publisher, LLC, will give you more information about Rick. It is truly a great and interesting read.
Nutfield Rambles:
Stories from the History of
Derry, Londonderry, & Windham,
New Hampshire
by Richard Holmes
Nutfield Rambles is an exciting, easy-to-read celebration of the history of the Nutfield towns of Derry, Londonderry and Windham, New Hampshire. Rick Holmes has long been considered the area’s master-storyteller and here are some of his best, most interesting tales.
If you have a question about Derry history, historian Richard Holmes is the man to ask. For years Richard has regaled our readers with fascinating tales of Derry's past, from the story of Robert Frost at Pinkerton Academy to the history of the H.P. Hood farm. If there's an interesting story out there, chances are Rick has it." -- Marc Fortier, Editor, Derry News
Ordering Information
To order, send check for $25 ($22 + $3 s&h) to:
Richard Holmes, 33 Hillside Ave., Derry, NH 03038
Ph: 603.434-6042 E-mail the author
AND NOW ON TO THE MAIN SHOW
I was born in July, 1941, (How have the years gone by?) in Derry, NH. I was brought up in Sandown, NH by my Father and Mother John and Marjorie. My bother Richard, joined me four years later. The little town of Sandown (pop. 400) was my whole existence for several years. Yes, I did go to a one room school house with outside toilets and no running water. Boy, can the wind rise through the hole at 20 degrees below zero! My Mother was a school teacher and my Father worked early in the woods as a lumber jack. Later he rose through the ranks to manager at the Benjamin Chase specialty wood factory.
