Arthur F. Holmes

Waltham – Mr. Arthur F. Holmes, Jr., of Waltham, died Sunday, February 4, 2018 at his home. Art met his cancer diagnosis with strength, dignity and a ferocious will to live. What got him through was what he always depended on . . . faith . . . family . . . friends. He was 69.

Known with great affection as 'Butch' by family and 'Art' by friends he was born in Boston on April 30, 1948 and was raised in Cambridge. A graduate of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School he later joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

Art began his professional career as a sales rep for St. Regis Paper Company and later opened up Holmes Printing Company in Waltham. After becoming a teacher he earned a master's degree in education from Cambridge College.

Trained as a graphic artist he became a graphic arts teacher at high schools in Cambridge, Brockton and Everett before joining the faculty of Shawsheen Regional Technical High School in Billerica where he worked for more than twenty years. Art will long be remembered as a guy who loved his job and the people and students he worked with even more.

He married his sweetheart, Waltham native Donna E. Gamble, in Our Lady's Church on June 20th, 1970 and the couple made Waltham their lifelong home. His greatest affection was reserved for his family, especially his grandchildren.

Art also loved to fish and to kayak . . . sports that were well suited to his calm demeanor and determination to succeed. His favorite spots were nearby Hardy Pond, Maine and Florida. He was also a longtime member of the Waltham Sons of Italy and the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

In addition to his wife of forty-eight years, Donna, he leaves his children, Wendy E. Plummer and her husband, William, of Waltham and Arthur F. Holmes, III and his wife, Nicole, of Dighton; his grandchildren, Emily and Ashley Plummer and Arthur and Nathaniel Holmes; his mother, Marguerite (Malloy) Holmes of Billerica; his sisters and brothers, Eileen Stebbins of Arkansas, Marlene Agresti of Somerville, Gerald Holmes of Billerica, Timothy Holmes of Houston, Texas, David Holmes of Billerica and Mary Spalding of Littleton and many nieces and nephews.

He was also a son of the late Arthur F. Holmes, Sr.

Family and friends will honor and remember Art's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, February 7th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.