DIXFIELD — Robert A. “Tink” Holt died Saturday, April 29, at his home at the age of 93 with his three children by his side.

He was born in Dixfield on May 23, 1923, the only child of Floyd S. and Verna McIntire Holt. He was a graduate of Dixfield High School in the Class of 1942 and continued his education at Bliss Business College and Auburn Maine School of Commerce. He loved to play ice hockey in his youth and ski Tuckerman’s Ravine in New Hampshire with his school buddies.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-45 during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations and was stationed as a guard and supply clerk at a POW camp in Luzon. He earned five Campaign Service Awards and three Bronze Battle Stars. His Army unit received the Commanding General’s Commendation Award for meritorious service in the Philippines. He married Gloria A. Packard in Mexico, on June 8, 1947, and they were married nearly 65 years.

He was employed for 40 years by the Diamond Match Co., retiring in 1987 as Maine Mills accounting manager. He was a member of the King Hiram Masonic Lodge, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and a former member of the Dixfield Finance Committee. During his retirement, he spent several winters in Florida with his daughter and son-in-law and took several trips with special cousin Gerald Holt and wife, Jean, touring across Canada and the United States by RV as well as enjoying a cruise to the Bahamas. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, enjoyed riding his bike around town and walking his son’s dog. He and Gloria spent many weeks dog and cat sitting for Patty’s menagerie of animals while she traveled.

Survivors include daughters, Prudence M. Garbotz of Mexico, Patricia M. Holt of South Portland and life partner, Kitty M. Penner; and son, Byrne F. Holt of Dixfield. Grandchildren include, Michael Foreman, Matthew Foreman and wife, Terri, Meagan Foreman and fiancé, Mark Richard, Heather Gallant and husband, Kevin, April McLean and husband, Eric; eight great-grandchildren, Kevin Chase, Keegan Foreman, Mason Corriveau, Gabrielle Gallant, Nathaniel Gallant, Jackson Gallant, Madisyn McLean and Zachary McLean.

The family would like to sincerely thank Donna Richard of Dixfield for her devotion, kindness and care of Tink during his last few years.

The family asks that condolences and tributes be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.

Robert A. “Tink” Holt

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