SOUTH PARIS — Leonas Freeman Holt, of Greenwood City, died Thursday, Dec. 23, at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

He was born in Norway on Sept. 17, 1919, the son of Harold and Marion Hobbs Holt. He grew up on a farm in the Millettville section of town. He had many memories of these years such as “walking the plow” nights for the town, as snowplow wings had to be manually lifted. He raised a prize-winning pair of oxen, Pat and Mike. With the help of his father and grandfather, he shingled the steeple of the Norway Universalist Church.

In 1937 he graduated from Norway High School. He met his future wife, Fay Morgan, at a Norway Grange Hall dance. They were married on June 20, 1942, and he moved to the Morgan farm in Greenwood City. He enlisted in the Army Air Force on August 7, 1942, and served at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colo., as a machine gun instructor.

Upon his discharge he returned to Greenwood and for many years worked in the woods for Leo Cole. Later he worked as a carpenter for Emery’s Builders in West Paris. During this time he did much remodeling of the farm house and other projects for the family. Upon his retirement he enjoyed working on the farm, raising his Holsteins and cutting wood.

He came to the Maine Veterans’ Home in June 2009. While there he continually showed his appreciation for the efforts of the staff and entertained them with his sense of humor. He was named Veteran of the Month this past July.

He is survived by sons Robert and wife Jeri and their children Daniel, Richard and Jenny of Windsor and David and his wife Sally of Norway and their daughter Mary of Boston; Ann and her husband Bradley of Greenwood City; two sisters, Dolly Verrill of South Paris and Edith Gardner of Norway. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 67 years, Fay Holt; and a sister, Anna Woodworth. The family would like to extend its sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff at the Maine Veterans’ Home and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice services for the wonderful care and support given to Leonas.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com