It is with great sadness that we
announce the passing of Parker William “Bill”
Holmes, 76, of Amherst and formerly of Sackville
following a brief illness. Bill passed away on Tuesday, November 22,
2022 at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in
Amherst. Bill was born in Sackville, a son of the late
Laurie and Georgina (Atkinson) Holmes.
Bill graduated from the Maritime Forest
Ranger School in the sixties and took employment as a forest ranger
for several years in the Sus and Coles Island areas prior to
becoming a police officer. He worked in this role for the
towns of Oxford, NS, Port Elgin, NB and then Sackville, NB until 1994,
affectionately being known as “Billy” and “Inspector
Gadget”. Following his departure from the force, he and Rose
constructed an apartment building on King Street and Bill took on the
role of a much-loved and respected landlord until 2019.
An avid outdoorsman Bill enjoyed hunting
and fishing. He was passionate and knowledgeable in all
things firearms related. He enjoyed sharing his skills with
others through education and as a firearms safety and competency
instructor. In addition, Bill had started as a reservist
with the 8th Canadian Hussars before moving on to C.O. of the
Sackville Air Cadet Squadron, finally returning to the Hussars as a
Lieutenant.
Bill will be fondly remembered for how
much he enjoyed spending time with his variety of collectibles in the
basement and family room.
Bill is survived by his wife of 33
years, Rosalie (Gimblett), Amherst; their children Cheryl (Chris)
Mackey and Elizabeth (Randy) Dowd, all of Truro; twelve grandchildren
and seven great grandchildren; his first wife Marsha (Johnson) and
their children, Roxanne Jones, Moncton, Laurie (Holly) Holmes,
Sackville, and Heather Holmes, Moncton; two sisters, Sally Evans, and
Wanda (Dana) Bradshaw, both of Hampton, NB, as well as several close
nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Bill was
predeceased by a brother-in-law, Kevin Evans and a son-in-law, Arthur
Miller.
Arrangements are under the care and
guidance of Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge
Street, Sackville, NB (506-364-1300). Honouring Bill’s
wishes, cremation has taken place. An afternoon of
remembrance will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, November 27,
2022 from 2-4 pm.
Donations in memory of Bill may be made
to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of the donor’s
choice.
Sharing of memories and condolences may
be sent to the family by visiting the online memorial at
www.jonesfuneralhome.ca or through the Jones Funeral Home Facebook
Page.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Bill Holmes 1946 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sackville, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick