Alden H Holdridge

Born on November 29th, 1933 in New York City, New York to Carl M. and Barbara (Goodenough) Holdridge, he graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1951 at the top of his class. He attended the University of Connecticut where he studied agriculture and met his wife Louise Brooks, whom he married on July 17th, 1955. He was the farm manager at Holdridge Nursery in Ledyard for 29 years.

Alden served as a mentor to many young men. He once said, “I’m not only growing plants, I’m growing boys”. He was a member of the International Plant Propagators Society and the Connecticut Nurserymen’s Association. He built stone walls and grew an extensive garden, selling a large variety of fruits and vegetables, including giant pumpkins. In addition to his prolific garden, he produced maple syrup. He was a loving, dedicated husband, brother, father, and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife Louise, sister, Jean (Royal) Goheen, three children; Deborah (David) Vessels, Elizabeth (Robert) Kniss, Mark (Michelle) Holdridge, and six grandchildren; Thomas (Cait) Vessels and Victoria (Zachary) Spicer, Rebecca Kniss and Jennifer Kniss, Daniel Holdridge and Katherine Holdridge, several nieces and nephews and many friends. He will be remembered for his work ethic, story-telling, and dedication to his family.

All services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ECHO Cancer Foundation, 330 Washington Street, Suite 220, Norwich, CT 06360.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com