Erland C. “Hoss” Holbrook Jr.
MINOT – Erland C. “Hoss” Holbrook Jr., 73, of Minot, passed away Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 at the Market Square Health Care Center in South Paris.
He was born May 3, 1948 in Lewiston the son of Erland, Sr. “Sam” and Bertha (Pulkkinen) Holbrook, the fifth of six children and grew up in North Auburn.
Hoss worked on the family farm (Holbrook Farms) all his life. He married the love of his life, Martha, on Nov. 16, 1968. They were soon joined by a son, Eric and daughter, Christine. Farming was a family affair. Hoss, his wife Martha and brother Steve loved working the earth and experienced the many highs and lows of farming working along side his parents and many other family members on the farm. Hoss and Steve took over the family farm upon the death of their father in 1993.
Hoss and Steve inherited a deep love of the outdoors from their parents. They both spent many hours following in their father’s footsteps hunting, trapping and fishing. They in turn shared that love and knowledge with their children. While the farm lay in hibernation during the winter months, the family spent much of the time beaver trapping, catching live bait and ice fishing.
The other big passion of Hoss’s life was stock car auto racing. It was a passion he shared with his brother, Steve, as well. Hoss and Martha’s first date was at Oxford Plains Speedway. They could be found there every Saturday night during race season sitting in turn four cheering on the Rowes and the Bracketts. As their children grew and their nest got empty, they took that love of racing on the road and went to several tracks around the North East and Canada. Hoss was especially proud of his nephew, Seth, and the success Seth saw working as a pit crew member for several different teams.
Hoss is survived by his loving wife, Martha (Sennett) Holbrook of Minot; a son, Eric Holbrook of Greenville and his wife Dawn, a daughter, Christine Holbrook of Minot; grandson, Samual Holbrook, and his companion Marissa and his two children Amelia and Zander of Lewiston; a granddaughter, Michaela Holbrook of Minot; siblings Elizabeth “Betty” Dufresne, Mae Sennett, and Stephen Holbrook; and countless numbers of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Hoss was predeceased by his parents Sam and Bertha Holbrook; and two sisters, Janice Holbrook and Vesta “Tootie” Sylvester, in November 2021. He was also greatly saddened by the passing of his brother-in-law, Thomas Sylvester in August of 2021, as he knew his own health was failing.
Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 at The Fortin Group, 217 Turner St., Auburn.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19 at the funeral home. The family is requesting casual dress.
A special thank you to Jo-Linn Tibbetts and the staff at Market Square.
Online condolences may be shared with his family at http://www.thefortingroupauburn.com.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of
Hoss Holbrook to:
Turner Rescue
11 Turner Center Rd.
Turner, ME 04282