Person Page - 154

     John Worthington Holcombe was born on 29 July 1924 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Louis Herman Holcombe and Grace King Jennings. John Worthington Holcombe married Janet Fayne Brown, daughter of Carroll H. Brown and Anna McGregor, on 25 March 1950 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. John Worthington Holcombe died on 9 December 2005 at Windsor Locks, Hartford Co., CT, at age 81. He was buried at Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹

From the Hartford Courant, 11 December 2005:

John Worthington Holcomb, 81, of Windsor Locks, formerly of Simsbury, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, on December 9, 2005.

John grew up in Simsbury and attended Simsbury High School. He married Janet Fayne Brown on March 25, 1950. Mr. Holcomb was a carpenter for many years and built two of his own homes. He was later employed by, and retired from, the Town of Simsbury Parks and Recreation Department. He had many varied interests. John was an accomplished cabinetmaker, and one of his joys was to build furniture from difficult to find old chestnut boards. His family members are blessed with many of his fine pieces. He was an avid camper all of his life, from tents to motor homes. He loved travel and the camaraderie of his friends among the National United Methodist Campers.

Besides his wife, Janet; he is survived by his son and three daughters, Tyler W. Holcomb and his wife, Marilyn, of Barkhamsted, Hillary F. Hutton and her husband, Mark, of Vienna, Maine, Jo-Ann H. Carl and her husband, John, of Tolland, Mass., and Carolyn A. Poitras and her husband, Jim, of West Simsbury; and his seven grandchildren, Lucinda and Schuyler Holcomb, Hillary and Casey Carl and Jessica, Joshua and Joseph Poitras

Burial will be private. A memorial service will be celebrated at Wesley United Methodist Church, 55 North Main Street, East Windsor at a later date and time to be announced by the family.

Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, has charge of arrangements.

     Millie is listed as "Milly Russell" in Seth's book and as "Millie Cowles" in Carol's book. Since they are best of friends, you would not expect them to disagree, so Seth offered this explanation in his book:

"The Birth Certificate for Ralph Ernest Holcomb states that his mother was Milly Cowles, who was born in West Granville, Massachusetts. The Death Certificate for Milly says her parents were John E. Russell and Anna E. Holcomb. John E. Russell married Anna Howard; they had two children: Hubert Lyle Russell and Milly Russell. John and Anna (Howard) Russell were divorced. Anna then married Harvey Cowles. Ana and Harvey had three children: George, Walter and Grace. Grace later married a Willoughby. The two russell children went by the name of Cowles, beginning when all five chilldren went to school together. Hubert Lyle Russell, going by the name of Cowles, had the Cowles Store in Granby; he died in 1930."

Milly Russell was born on 6 November 1877 at West Granville, MA. She was the daughter of John E. Russell and Anna Howard. Milly Russell married Frederick Mortimer Holcombe, son of Herman Avery Holcombe and Josephine Elvira Dutton, on 21 October 1897. Milly Russell died on 16 August 1904 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 26.¹ She was buried at Center Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.

     John E. Russell married Anna Howard. John E. Russell and Anna Howard were divorced.

     Anna Howard married John E. Russell. Anna Howard and John E. Russell were divorced.

     Mildred Edith Holcombe was born on 7 January 1899. She was the daughter of Frederick Mortimer Holcombe and Milly Russell. Mildred Edith Holcombe died on 1 March 1899. She was buried at Center Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹

     Winifred Muriel Holcombe was born on 17 January 1900 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Frederick Mortimer Holcombe and Milly Russell. Winifred Muriel Holcombe died on 6 November 1965 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 65.^2,3 She was buried at Granby Center Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.⁴

Seth notes that "He was a compulsive gambler; they were divorced after a few years. Winifred lived on Hatchet Hill Road, East Granby; she was a nurse for many years, employed at Holly Hill Convalescent Hospital, Simsbury. In 1939 she purchased a dwelling on the south side of Hartford Avenue, Granby in the name of Winifred M. Revitch."

     Harold Richard Holcombe was born on 15 December 1900 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Frederick Mortimer Holcombe and Milly Russell. Harold Richard Holcombe married Anna Karainauskae, daughter of John Karainauskae and Caroline Baronus, on 14 September 1931 at Tariffville, Hartford Co., CT.³ Harold Richard Holcombe died on 13 December 1977 at Keene, Cheshire Co., NH, at age 76.²

     Ralph Ernest Holcombe was born on 13 March 1902 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3 He was the son of Frederick Mortimer Holcombe and Milly Russell. Ralph Ernest Holcombe married Annie Agnes Kelley, daughter of William Kelley and Bridget Linnane, on 10 October 1927 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. Ralph Ernest Holcombe died on 30 April 1995 at Brightview Convalescent Home, Avon, Hartford Co., CT, at age 93.^2,3 He was buried at Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.²

Ralph and Annie were enumerated in the 1930 East Granby, Hartford Co., CT, Federal census, district 112. He was a manager of a tobacco farm, age 27, she was 35. There were no children in the household.


Ralph served two terms on the Simsbury Board of Finance in the late 1940s and 1950s. He was General Manager and tobacco consultant for Culbro Tobacco for many years prior to his retirement in 1989.⁴

     Maude Holcombe was also known as Maude Goodrow. She married Lucien P. Gaudrault. Maude Holcombe was born on 1 October 1903 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Frederick Mortimer Holcombe and Milly Russell. Maude Holcombe died on 1 February 1978 at Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, New Haven Co., CT, at age 74. She was buried at Center Cemetery; Plot 6, Sec. 1, North Haven, CT.

     Nellie Agnes Quirk was born on 25 June 1876 at Suffield, CT. She was the daughter of Patrick Quirk and Mary Kenefick. Nellie Agnes Quirk married Frederick Mortimer Holcombe, son of Herman Avery Holcombe and Josephine Elvira Dutton, on 21 November 1906. Nellie Agnes Quirk died on 26 December 1954 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 78. She was buried at St. Bernard's Cemetery, Tariffville, Hartford Co., CT.

     Frederick Quirk Holcombe was born on 8 July 1910.² He was the son of Frederick Mortimer Holcombe and Nellie Agnes Quirk. Frederick Quirk Holcombe married Rita Colbert, daughter of Michael Colbert and Annie Collins, on 3 October 1940 at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hartford, Hartford Co., CT.³ Frederick Quirk Holcombe died on 24 November 1986 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 76.² He was buried at St. Bernard's Cemetery, Tariffville, Hartford Co., CT.

     Whitney Paul Holcombe was born on 17 August 1913 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Frederick Mortimer Holcombe and Nellie Agnes Quirk. Whitney Paul Holcombe married Dorothy Freytag on 14 September 1940 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ Whitney Paul Holcombe died on 5 June 1990 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 76.^2,3

     Marguerite Chase was born on 28 December 1886 at Troy, NY.¹ She was the daughter of Waldo Ketchum Chase and Ada Ferris Wood. Marguerite Chase married Herbert Allan Boas on 8 October 1910. Marguerite Chase married John Marshall Holcombe Jr., son of John Marshall Holcombe and Emily Seymour Goodwin, on 10 May 1920 at Byde-A-Whyle, Farmington, Hartford Co., CT. Marguerite Chase died on 19 July 1975 at New Canaan, Fairfield Co., CT, at age 88.¹ She was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Farmington, Hartford Co., CT.²

     Waldo Ketchum Chase married Ada Ferris Wood.

     Ada Ferris Wood was born on 25 August 1851 at Troy, Rensselaer Co., NY.¹ She married Waldo Ketchum Chase. Ada Ferris Wood died on 22 December 1932 at Farmington, Hartford Co., CT, at age 81.¹

     Marguerite Emily Holcombe was born on 19 March 1921 at Farmington, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of John Marshall Holcombe Jr. and Marguerite Chase. Marguerite Emily Holcombe was also known as Gloria Holcombe.¹ She married William Edward Barlow, son of Edward S. Barlow and Eva Langloth, on 2 October 1943 at First Congregational Church, Farmington, Hartford Co., CT.² Marguerite Emily Holcombe died on 18 March 2009 at age 87.³ She was buried on 20 March 2009 at Riverside Cemetery, Farmington, Hartford Co., CT.⁴

     Herbert Allan Boas was born on 21 January 1889 at New York, NY.¹ He married Marguerite Chase, daughter of Waldo Ketchum Chase and Ada Ferris Wood, on 8 October 1910. Herbert Allan Boas died on 30 January 1917 at Pelham Manor, NY, at age 28.¹ He was buried at Putnam Cemetery, Greenwich, Fairfield Co., CT; Section E.¹

     John Marshall Holcombe III was born on 16 May 1923 at Farmington, Hartford Co., CT.³ He was the son of John Marshall Holcombe Jr. and Marguerite Chase. John Marshall Holcombe III married Lois Aileen Curry on 15 February 1949 at Brophy Chapel, Phoenix, Maricopa Co., AZ.³ John Marshall Holcombe III died on 30 June 2019 at Phoenix, Maricopa Co., AZ, at age 96.⁴

     Ada Chase Holcombe was born on 9 June 1924 at Farmington, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of John Marshall Holcombe Jr. and Marguerite Chase. Ada Chase Holcombe married Wilbur Cameron Caswell, son of Walter Emery Caswell and Anne Sophia Cameron, on 20 September 1947 at First Congregational Church, Farmington, Hartford Co., CT. Ada Chase Holcombe died on 27 September 2009 at North Branford, New Haven Co., CT, at age 85. She was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven, New Haven Co., CT.²

From the Darien Times, 8 October 2009:

Ada-Chase Holcombe Caswell, formerly of Darien and Sea Island, Ga., an active volunteer who served as a nurse during World War II, died in her sleep on Sunday, Sept. 27. Mrs. Caswell, 85, was the wife of the late Cameron Caswell.

Mrs. Caswell was born June 9, 1924, at home in Farmington to the late Marguerite Chase and John Marshall Holcombe Jr. She attended Miss Porters School and served as a member of the Red Cross Volunteer Nurses Aide Corps for 6,500 hours at the Hartford Hospital during the war.

Her volunteer work later included more than 30 years with the Childrens Aid Society as well as lifelong membership in the Junior League and Garden Club of Darien. She later served as a member of the board of the Blue Ridge School in Virginia and for years was chairman of and helped organize the annual New York Auxiliary Ball.

Mrs. Caswell will be remembered for the gardens she created as well as her love and skill on the tennis court and golf course. Some of the happiest stories revolved around her marriage to her late husband and, recently, the years she considered herself "so lucky" to spend with Jay Logan and his family, her family said.

"In her two months at Connecticut Hospice, she never lost her cheerful spirit, positive outlook or her remarkable ability to laugh with her family and friends," said those who knew her. "Everyone who ever met her remembered their time together fondly and often heard her say, I love people!

She was admired and adored by an enormous clan of people she befriended over the years and so many to whom she offered help and reassurance during difficult times in their lives."

She is survived by her sons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and brothers, John Marshall Holcombe III and Allan C. Boas.

She was predeceased by her sister, Gloria H. Barlow, who died a few months ago, and her brothers, Robert W. Boas and Herbert A. Boas Jr.

A celebration of Mrs. Caswells life will be held at Evergreen Woods in North Branford at 2, on Saturday, Oct. 24.

     Sally Wren O'Byrne was born on 28 September 1909 at Savannah, GA.¹ She was the daughter of Michael A. O'Byrne and Sarah Wren. Sally Wren O'Byrne married Robert Lloyd Holcombe, son of Charles Frederick Holcombe and Rose Wedin, on 21 October 1933 at Fairfield, CT. Sally Wren O'Byrne died on 26 May 2000 at Fairfield, Fairfield Co., CT, at age 90.¹

     Pauline Isabelle Church was born on 29 November 1902.¹ She was the daughter of Frederick Ogden Church and Emily Johnson. Pauline Isabelle Church married Lewis Dutton Holcombe, son of Edgar Bronson Holcombe and Susan Roxanna Green, on 21 June 1923 at Bride's home, Main St., New Hartford, Litchfield Co., CT. Pauline Isabelle Church died on 19 January 2000 at Cherry Brook Health Care Center, Canton, CT, at age 97; Courant January 22, 2000, page B4.¹

     He served in the U.S. Navy Air Corp in the Pacific Theatre of Operations during World War II. Fred attended Central Connecticut State University and Trinity College, Hartford.

Frederick was a retired state trooper formerly assigned as Resident Trooper in East Granby. They lived on Hartland Boulevard, Hartland, CT. Frederick Carlton Holcombe was born on 30 December 1926 at Bristol, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Lewis Dutton Holcombe and Pauline Isabelle Church. Frederick Carlton Holcombe died on 3 September 1999 at East Hartland, CT, at age 72.

     Arline Louise Rechenberg was born on 6 March 1910 at New Britain, CT.¹ She was the daughter of Otto Rechenberg and Matilda Gerber. Arline Louise Rechenberg married Carlton Green Holcombe, son of Edgar Bronson Holcombe and Susan Roxanna Green, on 30 September 1930 at Millertown, NY. Arline Louise Rechenberg died on 20 December 1981 at Bristol, Hartford Co., CT, at age 71.¹ She was buried at West Cemetery, Bristol, Hartford Co., CT.

     Richard Allen Holcombe was born on 31 July 1934 at Bristol, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Carlton Green Holcombe and Arline Louise Rechenberg. Richard Allen Holcombe died on 18 March 2017 at Fayetteville, GA, at age 82.

from the Bristol Press, 28 March 2017:

Richard Allen Holcomb, age 82, of Fayetteville, Ga. passed away on March 18, 2017.

Mr. Holcomb was born on July 31, 1934.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marion Frazier, of Connecticut; daughters, Susan Hall and her husband, Steven, of Fayetteville, Ga. and Karen Haberern of Bristol; son and daughter-in-law, Chip and Carla Holcomb of Bristol; grandchildren, Ethan Hall, Evan Hall, Eddie Haberern, Alicia Holcomb and Nick Holcomb.

Mr. Holcomb is a native of Connecticut, where he spent 76 years of his life. A memorial service will be held on April 2, 2017, at the O'Brien Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m.

     Vivian Stoutzenberger was born on 4 October 1902 at Hortense, MO. She was the daughter of Ezra Stoutzenberger and Mary eliza Belknap. Vivian Stoutzenberger married Ellis Herman Holcombe, son of Worthington Eugene Holcombe and Rhetta Mae Pratt, on 31 January 1932 at brother's house, Idyllwild, CA. Vivian Stoutzenberger died on 6 June 1954 at San Fernano, CA, at age 51.