Obituary for Ralph J. Holt
Ralph Joseph Holt passed away on September 24, 2022, after a brief illness. He was 93 years old.
Ralph was born in Lowell, MA on June 18, 1929, to the late Henry and Gladys Holt. While growing up in Lowell, Ralph began his life-long love of baseball. After graduating from Lowell High School, he enlisted in the Navy and was able to continue to play the game he loved. He was stationed on Quonset Point, RI. and along with his other duties, played baseball for three years.
After being discharged from the Navy, Ralph went back to school, enrolling in Northeastern University in Boston, MA. He would go on to graduate in 1956 with a degree in Finance. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. While at Northeastern, Ralph married the love of his life, Sylvia (nee Lanthier) in 1953. Upon graduating in 1956, he accepted a job with IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY, and along with Sylvia, he moved to Wappingers Falls to begin their life together.
Ralph and Sylvia would have five sons together. Needing to keep his boys busy, Ralph returned to the game he loved and became a manager within in the Town of Wappingers Little League. This would also mark the beginning of his love for community service. Over the ensuing years, Ralph’s teams would win numerous championships at the various levels of competition, but the one championship that stood out over them all was the All-Star team he managed in 1970. This “very special” group of boys made the summer of 1970 an unforgettable one in Ralph’s life. Working together in the true sense of the word “team”, this group went on to capture the New York State title. Even though they fell short of their goal of playing at Williamsport, history had been made. Ralph would always speak fondly of this team, their work ethic and how much fun they were to be around. Ralph went on to coach teams at the Little League, Senior League, and Big Boy League level. He also coached teams in the Wappingers girl’s softball league. Ralph also served as President of the Town of Wappingers Little League. For all of his efforts and contributions he made to the Little League, he was inducted into both he Dutchess County Sports Museum Hall of Fame and the Dutchess County Old Timers Baseball Association Hall of Fame.
After his coaching days were over, Ralph focused his attention on what could do for his community. He became the Chairman of Recreation for the Town of Wappingers. In his role as Chairman, Ralph oversaw the maintenance of all the baseball and soccer fields in the town. He assisted in the creation of the new ball fields, along with the Challenge Field out at the Robinson Lane complex. He oversaw the summer camp programs in Wappingers, in addition he made sure there was a Halloween and Christmas party for the children and a Christmas dinner party for the seniors. Ralph truly loved his role at the Recreation Dept and finally retired from the role in 2019 at 90 years old.
Ralph really embraced what it meant to give back to the community. Aside from his work for the Town, Ralph was also a Lector at St. Columba Church in Hopewell Junction for more than 45 years.
Ralph was proceeded in death by his wife of 63 years Sylvia, and his youngest son, Brian. He is survived by his sons Ralph J. and Mary Jane, Dennis M. and Lori, John P. and Denise, and Christopher P. and Karen. He had nine grandchildren: Patrick, Matthew, Megan, Douglas, Robert, Steven, Rachel, Shannon, and Caitlin, and five great-grandchildren: John Michael, Charlotte, Murray, Daniel, and Eloise.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 2nd from 2 pm to 5 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, 895 Routh 82, Hopewell Junction, NY. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, October 3rd at 10:00 am at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY followed by interment in St. Denis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Brian H. Holt Scholarship at Siena College, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, New York 12211.
Ralph was born in Lowell, MA on June 18, 1929, to the late Henry and Gladys Holt. While growing up in Lowell, Ralph began his life-long love of baseball. After graduating from Lowell High School, he enlisted in the Navy and was able to continue to play the game he loved. He was stationed on Quonset Point, RI. and along with his other duties, played baseball for three years.
After being discharged from the Navy, Ralph went back to school, enrolling in Northeastern University in Boston, MA. He would go on to graduate in 1956 with a degree in Finance. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. While at Northeastern, Ralph married the love of his life, Sylvia (nee Lanthier) in 1953. Upon graduating in 1956, he accepted a job with IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY, and along with Sylvia, he moved to Wappingers Falls to begin their life together.
Ralph and Sylvia would have five sons together. Needing to keep his boys busy, Ralph returned to the game he loved and became a manager within in the Town of Wappingers Little League. This would also mark the beginning of his love for community service. Over the ensuing years, Ralph’s teams would win numerous championships at the various levels of competition, but the one championship that stood out over them all was the All-Star team he managed in 1970. This “very special” group of boys made the summer of 1970 an unforgettable one in Ralph’s life. Working together in the true sense of the word “team”, this group went on to capture the New York State title. Even though they fell short of their goal of playing at Williamsport, history had been made. Ralph would always speak fondly of this team, their work ethic and how much fun they were to be around. Ralph went on to coach teams at the Little League, Senior League, and Big Boy League level. He also coached teams in the Wappingers girl’s softball league. Ralph also served as President of the Town of Wappingers Little League. For all of his efforts and contributions he made to the Little League, he was inducted into both he Dutchess County Sports Museum Hall of Fame and the Dutchess County Old Timers Baseball Association Hall of Fame.
After his coaching days were over, Ralph focused his attention on what could do for his community. He became the Chairman of Recreation for the Town of Wappingers. In his role as Chairman, Ralph oversaw the maintenance of all the baseball and soccer fields in the town. He assisted in the creation of the new ball fields, along with the Challenge Field out at the Robinson Lane complex. He oversaw the summer camp programs in Wappingers, in addition he made sure there was a Halloween and Christmas party for the children and a Christmas dinner party for the seniors. Ralph truly loved his role at the Recreation Dept and finally retired from the role in 2019 at 90 years old.
Ralph really embraced what it meant to give back to the community. Aside from his work for the Town, Ralph was also a Lector at St. Columba Church in Hopewell Junction for more than 45 years.
Ralph was proceeded in death by his wife of 63 years Sylvia, and his youngest son, Brian. He is survived by his sons Ralph J. and Mary Jane, Dennis M. and Lori, John P. and Denise, and Christopher P. and Karen. He had nine grandchildren: Patrick, Matthew, Megan, Douglas, Robert, Steven, Rachel, Shannon, and Caitlin, and five great-grandchildren: John Michael, Charlotte, Murray, Daniel, and Eloise.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 2nd from 2 pm to 5 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, 895 Routh 82, Hopewell Junction, NY. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, October 3rd at 10:00 am at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY followed by interment in St. Denis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Brian H. Holt Scholarship at Siena College, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, New York 12211.