Neil Adam Holland

Neil Holland

Neil Holland, 54, of Windsor, London and Sudbury Ontario passed peacefully on Monday, December 29th surrounded by family and friends after battling cancer.

Born in Plymouth, England to proud parents Rita and Patrick, he was soon joined by his sisters Claire and Emma. Together, they developed a taste for marmite, Yorkshire pudding and Paddington Bear. These early British roots in his mother’s home country took hold in his spirit both in his interest in history, his love of a good yarn and his penchant for sarcasm. (The fact that his last meal was a mince pie felt like a tip of the hat to the Blake side of the family).

In 1977, the Holland family moved to London, Ontario. There, he discovered a love for Star Wars action figures, writing and illustrating stories and playing baseball. His father Patrick eagerly coached him as a first baseman and pitcher and later, became his scout leader.

On any given summer afternoon he could be found riding his bike to the next local town or visiting forts built on fields or abandoned construction sites.

He attended school at St. Anthony’s in White Oaks and then Regina Mundi where he met his core crew of friends, now brothers-Shannon, Ron and Jonathan. He spent his free time listening to Pat Benatar, playing D and D, crashing bush parties and running exercises in Cadets.

The family’s move to Sudbury in grade 11 took him to St. Charles College. There, he perfected his tennis game, feathering his hair and photography-an interest which led to a managerial role at Sooter’s and gigs at weddings.

In his early twenties, he met Lise, the mother of his beloved daughters Brittany (named for all things English) and Jennifer (named after Ron’s wife). They moved to Windsor to be near his parents and to start the next chapter of their lives. During this time, his father introduced him to one of the future passions of his life-sailing. They spent many weekends perfecting their skills as they competed in races at the local yacht club.

After a stint as an apartment superintendent, he found work at Costco, an organization that would allow his natural talents as a leader, mentor and problem solver, to thrive. Whether it was in the bakery, the tire centre, merchandising or front end, he earned the respect of everyone who worked with him. It would also be the place where he would build a network of friends that would be a significant part of his life for years to come.

His workplace also led him to his partner Ronnie and her daughter Courtney. With Courtney at his side, he explored his new passions-sailing his beloved Kestral at the Cedar Island Yacht club, riding motorcycles and obsessing about Formula One racing. She was a willing companion for each of his adventures and the source of immense pride.

Of all of the roles he played in his life, being a father seemed to bring him closest to his truest self. There was never a distance too far, a call too late, or a need too insignificant when it came to his girls. He was utterly devoted to them and ensuring that they knew that they were seen and heard and loved. That they have grown into women that emulate these same qualities in their relationships is a testament to his example. Now he had three daughters all protected under the shade of his umbrella.

Over the past few years he’s also become a devoted uncle to Emma’s children, Benjamin and Julia who he’s taught to build a fire and catch a fish. He loved nature and hosted an unforgettable family camping trip to Bon Echo Provincial Park just before he was hospitalized.

Even when in his hospital bed, functioning with a collapsed lung and painful bone cancer, his attention often focused on checking on the well being of his visitors, adjusting his hospital lunch orders to cater to the tastes of his guests.

Until the end he fought through high doses of dilaudid to engage in the conversation around him with a mumbled retort or a smirk, so pleased he was for the company.

Under the care of the incredible team at the Windsor Hospice and the support of his parents, his lifelong friends, his partner, his ‘girls’ and his family members, he found peace and released his last breath as his beloved Norah Jones played in the background.

Thank you to all of the doctors and nurses who made the unthinkable more tolerable.

We love you, Neil.