LACONIA ---- James Preston Holmes, also known as Jim or Jimmy, passed away peacefully in Laconia, NH on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Born on August 20, 1939, in Gloucester, MA, Jim was the oldest son of Donald and Gladys Holmes of Rockport, MA.
After graduating from Gloucester High School in 1957, Jim attended Syracuse University and then graduated from Northeastern University in 1962. He also received his Master’s Degree in Physics from Wesleyan University in 1981. He started his career at Avco-Everett Research Laboratories, in Everett, MA, where he contributed to the early space program. He went on to teach at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA, and then, starting in 1967, at Lawrence Academy in Groton, MA. Jim taught at Lawrence Academy for 14 years, where he taught mathematics and helped establish the computer science program. While at Lawrence Academy, he was known for encouraging and supporting students of all abilities, and also for coaching the lacrosse and cross country teams to victory.
Jim’s time at Lawrence Academy was recognized with the establishment of the James P. Holmes Prize, which is “awarded to that student who has demonstrated outstanding proficiency in either math or computer programming and who best emulates the qualities of excellence and dedication that were so characteristic of Mr. Holmes' work”. In the summer of 2022, he was awarded the Lawrence Academy Alumni Faculty Award, where his former students honored him, saying “No teacher at any school was more dedicated to getting the most out of his students, whether they were gifted or not”, and described him as, “the perfect teacher”.
In the spring of 1981, he taught a semester in France, followed by a summer cycling trip across Europe, with stops in Sweden to visit relatives. When he returned, he taught mathematics at St. Paul's School in Concord, NH from 1981 to 1989. While at St. Paul’s he was a dormitory mentor and was always available to his students for extra help and advice. He also coached the Boys Track Team in 1982 and 1983.
In 1989, he retired to his home in Jefferson, NH, leaving behind computers and technology to focus on his gardens and his myriad hobbies. Retirement didn’t stick, though, and before long he began teaching at The White Mountain School in Bethlehem, NH, as well as substitute teaching in public schools in his area. He also dabbled in odd jobs, ranging from cooking in a restaurant to night shifts at the Mount Washington Hotel, where he picked up ghost stories to share with his friends and family.
Jim thrived in the outdoors and used his retirement to dive deep into his interests. Jim loved to hike the Presidentials and other ranges in the White Mountains, and closer to home he was an avid gardener, maker of homemade wines, and adoptive parent to many rescue cats. He played the violin and accordion in his free time as well.
Jim was a lepidopterist with an extensive collection of butterflies and moths from his travels, some of which are in the collection at the Smithsonian Institution. He shared his interests with his nieces and nephews, taking them on butterfly collecting walks while on family camping trips to Dolly Copp Campground in Gorham, NH.
Jim’s favorite hobby and passion was collecting gems and minerals. He was an enthusiastic member of both the Presidential Gem and Mineral Society, and the Saco Gem and Mineral Club, both in northern New Hampshire. As a member, he would give presentations and talks, but he especially enjoyed the group outings to his favorite mines. His fellow club members made it possible for him to enjoy his last field trip by physically lifting in and out of the mine. His clubs were very much part of his family.
While Jim enjoyed the peace and quiet of the White Mountains, he also enjoyed being part of a community. Jim attended St. Agnes, Gate of Heaven Parish, in Jefferson, NH, enjoying time spent with other parishioners and attending pot lucks. Jim was also an active neighbor in his town, getting to know and helping his community. Jim also never missed, but was occasionally late to, family camping trips, summer cookouts and the holidays with his siblings and their families.
Jim was preceded by his parents, Donald and Gladys Holmes, and his brothers William Holmes and Philip Holmes. He leaves behind his brother Kenneth Holmes of Rockport, MA, and his sister Donna (Holmes) Creley and brother-in-law Roy Creley of Rumney, NH. He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews: Susan Welke; Brennan, Megan and Nathan Holmes; Jeffery, Sam and Jesse Holmes; Erin Creley and Shannon (Creley) Bergeron.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Agnes in Jefferson, NH on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 11:00am.
A private burial with family will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Jim’s name to a charity advancing access to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) studies for students regardless of ability or income, or to a local animal shelter in your community.
Jim’s family is collecting memories and stories from his life. If you have one to share, please email: [email protected].
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services and 603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.