Rodman Wayne Holmes

Rodman Wayne Holmes of Gorham, died peacefully at his home on January 11, 2016 surrounded by his children. He celebrated his 77th birthday on January 7th with many of his family members and friends in attendance. Rod was born on January 7, 1939 to Oliver Wendall and Muriel (Strout) Holmes. Born in Gorham, NH, he grew up in Portland, ME, graduated from Deering High School in 1957 and joined the Navy later that same year. Stationed at U.S. Amphibous Base, Little Creek, Norfolk, VA, his tour of duty took him to Italy, Morocco, Spain, Portugal and Greece while working as ship’s cook. He received an honorable discharge on April 8, 1962. Rod married Judy Harmon in 1963 and together they raised three children, Kim, Kristin and Cheryl. They lived in Yarmouth where Rod was an active member of the Jaycees Club. He was a long time member of Chestnut Street Methodist Church in Portland and current attendee of Cressey Road United Methodist Church in Gorham. He later married Jeanette Butts in 1981. Rod’s career began as a union carpenter with F.W. Cunningham & Sons. He loved construction work and, together with long-time business partner, Dave Redlon, started R&H Builders, a general contracting company based in Windham, ME, doing both residential and commercial construction. Rod loved what he did and always said there wasn’t a day in his life that he didn’t get up and look forward to going to work. During his retirement years, Rod enjoyed woodworking and furniture building. He was a talented craftsman and made several beautiful pieces of oak furniture for each of his children and nine grandchildren, as well as making toys which he donated to the Salvation Army as Christmas For over 25 years, Rod enjoyed spending summers at his camp on Brandy Pond where he especially loved taking his pontoon boat out for sunset rides on Brandy Pond and Long Lake. His camp was a place of many family gatherings and wonderful memories for Rod and his family. He also enjoyed gardening, ice fishing, camping and spending time with friends at the Gorham Senior Center and Saturday night church suppers. He was a good friend of Bill W. for over 25 years and felt very strongly about supporting the Friendship House in South Portland, an organization helping men overcome addictions. Rod was pre-deceased by his parents and brothers Carlton, Robert and Sterling. He is survived by and will be much missed by a sister, Nancy Mathews and her husband Raye, of Portland; sister, Marilyn Fink and her husband Bill of Lillian, TX; three daughters, Kim McAvinchey of Andover, MA; Kristin Phillips and husband Dean of Salt Lake City, UT; Cheryl Scheinberg and husband Stuart of Woodbine, MD; nine grandchildren, Siobhan, Anna, Eoin, Sydney, Danielle and husband Mikhail, Parker, Jacob, Rachel and Alana; one great granddaughter, Lilli Abigail; many nieces and nephews; and his long-time, faithful companion, his cat, Honey. Visiting hours will be Friday, January 15th, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Dolby & Dorr Funeral Chapel, 76 State Street, Gorham. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 16th, at 2 pm at West Scarborough Methodist Church, located on Route One between Church Street and Orchard Street in Scarborough. Interment will be at a later date for family members at Brooklawn Memorial Park, 2002 Congress Street, Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friendship House, 390 Lincoln Street, South Portland, ME 04106.

Rodman Wayne Holmes

January 7, 1939 - January 11, 2016

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