Leonas F. Holt

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Leonas F. Holt

GREENWOOD CITY — Leonas Freeman Holt, of Greenwood City, died Thursday morning, December 23, 2010 at the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris. He was born in Norway, September 17, 1919, the son of Harold and Marion Hobbs Holt. He grew up on a farm in the Millettville section of town. He had many memories of these years such as "walking the plow" nights for the town as snow plow wings had to be manually lifted. He raised a prize winning pair of oxen, Pat and Mike. He, with the help of his father and grandfather, shingled the steeple of the Norway Universalist Church.

In 1937 he graduated from Norway High School. He met his future wife Fay Morgan at a Norway Grange Hall dance. They were married June 20, 1942 and he moved to the Morgan farm in Greenwood City. He enlisted in the Army Air Force on August 7, 1942 and served at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, CO as a machine gun instructor. Upon his discharge he returned to Greenwood and for many years worked in the woods for Leo Cole. Later he worked as a carpenter for Emery's Builders in West Paris. During this time he did much remodeling of the farm house and other projects for the family. Upon his retirement he enjoyed working on the farm, raising his Holsteins and cutting wood.

He came to the Maine Veterans' Home in June 2009. While there he continually showed his appreciation for the efforts of the staff and entertained them with his sense of humor. He was named Veteran of the Month this past July.

Mr. Holt is survived by son, Robert and wife Jeri and their children Daniel, Richard and Jenny of Windsor; son, David and his wife Sally of Norway and their daughter Mary of Boston and Ann and her husband Bradley of Greenwood City and two sisters, Dolly Verrill of South Paris and Edith Gardner of Norway. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 67 years, Fay Holt and a sister, Anna Woodworth.

Graveside services will be held in the spring at Lakeview Cemetery in Norway, time and date to be announced. Donations in his memory can be made to the Maine Veterans Home, Activity Fund, 477 High St., South Paris, ME 04281 or the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, PO Box 819, Lewiston, ME 04240.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris. On-line condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com