Gill, MA – Allen Jon Holmes, 76, of Gill, died in the comfort of his home on August 20. 2026, following a battle with lung cancer. Al was born on January 14, 1950, in Manchester, CT. He graduated from Greenfield High School in 1969. He lived a life filled with family, friendship, laughter, competition, creativity and more than his fair share of mischief.
He married the love of his life, Janet (Manix) Holmes on Groundhog Day, February 2, 1968. Together, they made a home in Gill, where they raised their family and shared a partnership that spanned more than five decades.
Al worked a wide variety of jobs throughout his life, from construction to youth counselor and school bus driver, and even a stint as a jail guard. He was good at just about anything he tried, although he was never particularly suited to working for someone else. His independent spirit was simply part of who he was.
He was a jokester with a mischievous streak and a talent for the perfectly timed prank. He might hide a pea in your mashed potatoes to see if you noticed or strategically balance a stuffed animal above a doorway so it would tumble onto the unsuspecting person walking underneath.
Known to many as Grampy Al, he had a particularly tender heart when it came to children. He enjoyed taking them fishing, flattening pennies and drilling them to make necklaces, telling jokes, performing magic and yo-yo tricks, sharing riddles, and finding endless ways to make them laugh (or cry). He cherished his grandchildren and was delighted to gain a new title of Great Grampy Al. He was especially fond of his Tuesday outings with Emily.
A lifelong sportsman, Al was known as “Homer” on the softball field and was considered by many to be the best third baseman in the history of Montague men’s softball. On the golf course, he participated in many tournaments and leagues and was a proud club champion at both Northfield and Oak Ridge Golf Courses. He was a lifelong New York Giants fan and an avid pool player. Al valued the friendships and camaraderie that sports brought into his life, and he enjoyed that same sense of competitiveness and community with his Friday poker buddies.
Pool had been Al’s passion since he was a teenager, when he spent countless hours hanging out in pool halls. Over the years, he made a name for himself as an accomplished player, running leagues, earning numerous trophies, traveling to tournaments in St. Louis and Las Vegas where he finished ninth in the National 9-Ball Championship. His reputation grew to the point that accomplished players sought him out for the challenge of playing against him.
Eventually, Al opened County Billiards in Turners Falls, where he shared his love of the game with generations of players. He was especially proud of mentoring his dear friend, U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion Stacie Bourbeau, whom he affectionately referred to as his “third daughter.” Always the competitor and jokester, he would remind her, “As long as I’m around, you’ll always be second best.”
In his youth, Al inherited his love of harness horse racing from his family, who owned and raced horses at Hinsdale Raceway, where extended relatives often gathered. He enjoyed gambling on the horses, dogs, jai alai, and just about anything else he could wager on. His sense of humor even resulted in a ban from the casino after what he considered an innocent joke on a craps dealer.
His Christmas in July, and Halloween parties were legendary celebrations that he loved as much as the people who came to them (if they were able to weed through his cryptic texts to get to the invitation).
He was also a talented and generous craftsman. Al enjoyed making furniture and stained-glass pieces, which he gave as gifts to friends and family. His creations were pieces of himself, made by hand and given freely to people he loved.
Al had a genuine soft spot for animals. He loved his kitties and enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels around his home, many of whom had been given names and were part of his daily life.
He loved the ocean and was a master at body surfing. Whether at the beach, on a golf course, around a pool table, or simply sitting outside watching the world around him, Al enjoyed life his own way.
But for all of his interests, accomplishments, stories and adventures, Al was proudest of the life he and Janet built together and the family they raised. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 58 years, Janet (Manix); his children, Alana Martineau and her husband Tim, Kathy Sisson and her husband Marshall, and Allen Holmes and his wife Catherine; his loving sister, Karen Miner and her husband Todd; his sister-in-law Robin Holmes; and his grandchildren, Brooke and her husband Zach, Tara, Korey, Jacob, Emily, Molly, Mackenzie and Sam, and his great-grandchildren, William and Emma. He also leaves behind his niece Arwyn, nephews, Dennis, Jon and Christopher, his Connecticut relatives, and many other extended family members and lifelong friends. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Doris, his brother Eben, and his grandchildren Kayla and Troy.
Al leaves in his wake, a lifetime of stories that can be repeated at gatherings, (and some that probably shouldn’t be), a legacy of laughter, generosity, craftsmanship, competition, mischief, and love. He will be deeply missed but would prefer that we remember him with a smile, and maybe a harmless prank.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 18, from 4–6 p.m. at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 1 Kostanski Sq. Turners Falls, followed by a gathering at St. Stanislaus in Turners Falls.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the local animal shelter of your choice.
For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com
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