Obituary of Francis E. Holman

Flip was a long time resident (since 1949), of 69 Forbes Place, East Haven. He passed away from complications resulting from falling down his stairs at home on Wednesday, November 4th. Flip is survived by his sons, Jeffery (Christine) and David (Elaine) Holman, his niece Blake Roche and her son Cooper, his niece Maureen Ryan, his wife’s cousin Thomas (Margaret) Barrett, his good friend Jim Pocock, and several other nieces and nephews. Flip was predeceased by his loving wife Marta (Wurm), whom he was married to for 59 years, his parents Harold and Clara (Comiskey) Holman, his sisters Arlene Gray and Esther Anderson, and his brothers Walter and Edmond Holman. Flip graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1936, and immediately began working at American Steel & Wire Corp., which eventually became U.S. Steel Corp. He rose to the position of wire rope analyst, and worked there for 44 years until his retirement in 1980, when US Steel Closed, except from 1939-1940 when he was loaned to Rochester Wire Rope, Queens,NY, and from August 1942 till February 1946 when he served in the 20th Armored Division of the U.S. Army in WWII. Flip was part of the last major convey to sail to Europe in February 1945 and his Division fought under General Patch, liberating, Munich,Dachau, and ending up in Salzburg, Austria. Flip was a Bronze Star recipient .After VE day, he was sent to the West Coast for amphibious training in preparation for the invasion of Japan. Flip was a long time fan of Yale Football, having seen his first game in 1936. He instilled a love of Yale Football in his family, and one of his great joys, was tailgating at both home and away football games with his family and friends. Flip also enjoyed tag saleing, which he did every weekend with his wife Marta, and most recently with his neice Maureen. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion,the Knights of Columbus the Annex YMA and the Notre Dame Father’s Club.Finally, Flip was very proud of his military service. He and Marta, along with Fawn Muphy, cofounded the East Haven World War II Survivors Group, which meets once a month at the East Haven Library. Flip would bring 6-7 treasures from his tag sales to raffle off at each meeting. Flip loved his wife, his family, friends, and his country. The following is a poem he wrote on Christmas Day 1942 while in the Army: “I saw this man with hair so gray, stooped and bent he knelt to pray. In his eyes there glowed a strange light, like the wonder stars on that night. He looked toward where the Christ Child lay, bowing his head I could hear him say. On this day of days I beg of thee, to keep our country strong and free. Shower your blessings upon her men, who are now fighting to the very end. And for those who sacrifices give, America forever, she must live.” Funeral from the Clancy Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven, Monday morning at 8:30. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Vincent de Paul Church at 9:00. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Branford. Friends may call Sunday from 3-7pm. Contributions can be made to the World War II Veterans Discussion Group, c/o Hagaman Memorial Library, 227 Main Street, East Haven, CT 06512.