Breland Wilks Holley, Sr.
January 3, 1929 – September 21, 2021
Breland W. Holley, Sr. of Mystic passed away September 21, after a brief illness. He was 92.
Breland was born in Midway, Arkansas on January 3, 1929 to Lois Harrison and Harvey Breland Holley. He proudly served in the US Navy for nearly 7 years as an S03 Sonarman during the Korean War. During the War, Breland met another Navy veteran, Edna Marie Caliguri. They were married in Bethesda, Maryland in March 1951.
Soon after, Breland and Edna decided to join civilian life and Breland took a ground floor opportunity in Production with then an up-and-coming company named Pfizer. He and Edna moved to Mystic, CT where they put down roots and raised their two sons, Breland, Jr and James. During this time, Breland worked his way up the ladder at Pfizer’s corporate research facility in Groton, CT and became a Senior Scientist, where he and his staff worked on several medicines and key products developed and sold by the company. Breland loved his work and the innovative environment during his 37 years with Pfizer and retired with a number of proud achievements. Breland loved his family and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He set an example to his children that hard work, continuous learning, and perseverance will bring you respect, success and happiness. He was a man of many talents and skills, who could fix most anything. He spent countless hours with his family cheering on his children and their teams at the ball parks and courts, as well as picnicking and fishing. He also loved his time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and provided countless memories they will hold dear forever. Shortly after his retirement from Pfizer in early 1992, and after 41 years of marriage, Edna passed away unexpectedly.
Breland then had the good fortune of meeting Jeanette Wilson Hobbs and they married in 1993. Breland was an avid follower of sports, including college football and Uconn girls’ basketball, which he and Jeanette enjoyed watching together. Breland and Jeanette were golf partners and enjoyed traveling. They loved visiting family and the opportunity to visit a number of places both in the US and abroad. Breland took a fond affection to Jeanette’s entire family, including her son Fred, granddaughter Laura, Jeanette’s sisters, and all their families and children. He embraced and loved his new extended family. Breland will be missed and forever in our hearts and memories.
In addition to his wife Jeanette, Breland is survived by son, Breland Holley, Jr. and his wife Barbara of Shelburne, VT, granddaughter Allison Holley Capeless and her husband Mark of Shelburne, VT, great grandchildren, Trey and Tyler Capeless of Shelburne, VT, son, James Holley and his wife Heike of Mystic, grandchildren Robert Holley of Mystic, Laura Holley and fiancé Christopher DeJesus of Pawcatuck, granddaughter, Laura Hobbs Vlaun and her husband Josh of Waterford, great granddaughter Layla Vlaun of Waterford, sisters, JoNell Holley Garrison of Tomball, TX, Barbara Dell Holley Viator of New Iberia, LA, and Edna Frances Holley of Salem, MA. Breland was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mystic where he made many friends over the years. Burial and services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ‘Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter’ www.alz.org/ct, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489.
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