Ron C. Holden

April 22, 2018

Ron C. Holden

GARDNER- Ron C. Holden, 47, of Alger Street, died unexpectedly at Heywood Hospital in Gardner on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 after being stricken ill.

Born in Greenfield on November 15, 1970, he was a son of Keith and Evelyn "Lynn" (Kolasinski) Holden and graduated from Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg.

Ron later attended Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner where he studied criminal justice and Data Processing.

On June 15, 1989, Ron enlisted into the United States Army and served during Desert Storm as a gunner in the tank division. Ron was honorably discharged from active duty on October 6, 1991 but remained in the Army Reserves until July 4, 1996.

Ron later went back to Mount Wachusett Community College, this time studying biotech engineering.

Employed by the Fitchburg Paper Mill for a number of years, Ron also did building contracting on his own.

Ron was an avid hiker and for years a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan, as well as the New England Patriots.

Survivors include a son, Dakota Holden of Shirley; father, Keith Holden and his wife, Arlene, of Orange; mother, Lynn Holden and step father, Steve Skelton, of California; sister, Rachael Holden of Athol; brother in law, Jeremy McHugh of Athol; grandmother, Thelma Holden of Athol; nephew, Dustin Holden; nieces, Hope Dolan, Kelsi McHugh, and Karlee McHugh; grandnieces, Melody Dolan and Norah Scricco; step sisters Tina Riddell and Paula Lavoine and her husband, Sean, all of Greenfield; and Sheila Deane of Gardner; step grandnephews and grandnieces, Kaitlyn Lavoine, Matthew Lavoine, Audriana Deane and Justin Deane; an uncle, Frank Kolasinski Jr. of Florida; and his beloved cat, “Tiger”.

Ron was predeceased by his grandparents, Harry Holden, Betty Kolasinski and Frank Kolasinki Sr.

A calling hour will be held on Friday, April 27, 2018 from noon to 1 p.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 27th at Witty’s Funeral Home in Orange, with Rev. Dr. Megan Leary of the Orange Central Congregational Church officiating.

Interment  with military honors will follow in South Cemetery, Orange.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the VA Hospital, 421 North Main Street, Leeds, MA 01053. Memo- In memory of Ron Holden.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements.

You may offer your sympathy online at www.wittyfuneralhome.com 

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