It has been difficult for me to fully come to terms with Hollis' passing. I would have probably met Hollis in 2007 when I first joined Columbus, and was presently surprised to meet another Trini working among the leadership ranks of Columbus Networks. During my time working with Hollis, he epitomised the best of a Trini - highly professional, able to remain calm under pressure despite the nature of a crisis, passionate about excellent service to his customers, both internal and external, and had the gift to lift his team's spirits whenever needed.

As a region, we were blessed to have a Caribbean man in his role in developing the broadband infrastructure, and ultimately the economies, of the Caribbean. Hollis was more than a mentor, but a big brother to many of us, and served as an inspiration to us from Trinidad and the Caribbean, that if we work hard at our talents, we will earn our just rewards. I am grateful to have met and worked with Hollis, and wish his family my deepest condolences and the best in the future.

Hollis, you will be missed.

Met Hollis back at IDX more then 20 years ago . Hollis was and is still one of the most unassuming, kind and professional person I've ever met . In the middle of a chaotic mergers he was the beacon of calm and from then on we were friends and my respect for him grew . The world is a much  better place and I'm a much better person because of Hollis Forde. Mate we will truly miss you and know your still providing that calm we all loved in your laughter. 

Dave Wells

I first met Hollis in December 2015. Working in Trinidad I always heard about the legend Hollis who worked at Columbus Networks. I was both eager and nervous to have met him, but that quickly disappeared on our first meeting - his humility, professionalism and sense of humor made it easy. Hollis and I worked together for the better part of 3 years, and he looked after me like a big brother would. He guided me on simple things such as dressing for corporate meetings when I travelled for work (“Sean, you can’t wear the same shirts in Trinidad as you would when you get to Miami…”), getting ready for big presentations and on the personal side, eating healthy (“Sean, you need to stop eating, your belly is busting out that shirt!”) and navigating the ups and downs of relationships. One of the first questions Hollis asked when we met or spoke on the phone was “Sean, how is your daughter?” – then we addressed work. 
We travelled the Caribbean and LATAM together many times, introducing me to many great people and cultures. During COVID, I would message Hollis to confirm exactly what days he would be at the office, just for those few moments that I had the chance to run to his office for a quick chat, and he would do the same. On my last day at Liberty (3 months ago), Hollis joined Peter and I to celebrate. We planned to meet again just before Christmas. It’s easy to say he didn’t have enough time to enjoy his retirement (and yacht!), but Hollis lived and enjoyed his life better than most of us ever will. I’m sure he touched the lives of many just as he did mines. 

I am eternally grateful to have met such a great human being..love you my brother, until we see each other again, I know you’ll continue to look after us from above. 


Hollis was my first cousin ,his Mom and my Dad were siblings. The Man most experienced in his professional life is the man his family also experienced in our personal interactions with him ( × 10!) Hollis was extremely kind , with a loving heart that was open, honest and without pretense . He valued family, and friends  . It is really great to know that he was equally as well regarded by his professional colleagues ,who I am sure he included as his family. Hollis was a man of faith, so we know he is embraced in the arms of a loving Creator cared for by all his family and friends that have gone before him. It will take all of us some time to come to terms with his sudden passing. I am proud to have called Hollis family , grateful for his impact on this world ;in his own unique way he made a tremendous difference because of his dependability and loving kindness. To his colleagues,  friends , and to our family especially his daughter Mellisa , his beloved Grandson and his wife and life partner Kim, we were all all enriched by Hollis' presence in our lives. We pray for your strength as you navigate life without him ( one day at a time, be gentle with yourselves). I pray for the peace of God that surpasses all of our human understanding at this moment. To his siblings, nieces , nephews , in laws and loving extended family members in the U. S. and abroad, our deepest condolences. Hollis would want you to remember him fondly and to  prioritize family  ( look out for one another always). Love ,Uncle Leslie's family N.J.

To my dear friend Hollis and the Forde family,

I  feel deeply  shocked and sadden to see Hollis leave us so early, but I will always remember him with a big smile in my heart.

We shared so many special moments in the past 20 years working together at NWN, Columbus Networks and C&WN, I feel extremely lucky  for each and every one of them.

Hollis was  a very important part of my professional development, and of others in my team. He always offered us guidance, patience, calm, and a friendly hand whenever we  needed it, and for that I will  always be grateful!

Enjoy heaven my friend and rest in peace,



I met Hollis very early in my Columbus career and he welcomed me to the family like one of his own.  He was immediately concerned about how I was settling in, how I am my family were adapting to the change and if I was having any challenges.  

Whenever I needed his help, I was confident that he would take my call or at least return it quickly - and he would.  Always happy to help and lend support to our team and our customers, I could always rely on Hollis.

Hollis was a mountain of a man with a heart to match and I will miss him greatly.  

Sleep in peace my friend.

Working with Hollis was a blessing. He was always willing to lend a helping hand.
We worked on several customer outages and he was such an understanding soul, explaining the issue on hand to our customers and providing assurance that myself and my team are doing everything possible to restore service in the shortest possible time. 

 I wanted to extend my sympathies to the entire family for this loss. He will be greatly missed.

My brother Hollis,  words cannot describe the void that was created with your passing,  be blessed brother,  continue to rest in perfect peace.

Hollis embodied what we all seek in a colleague, a friend and a human being.  

I only worked with him, so i feel i missed much that he could have shared with me and made me better.  

However, for the times we did spend, I can confidently say I am better for it.

To Hollis and all that surround him.

Pax...

A gentle, considerate man with a positive attitude.  Grateful to have worked with him. My condolences to his family and friends. Walk good Hollis. 

When an extraordinary person like Hollis leaves us, a deep sadness invades our heart. We will always take with us the teachings received from him and the good moments we shared. 

My sincere condolences for his family and friends.

A best friend gone too soon is a tragedy. But what would have been worse is never to have met him. I am grateful to have been Hollis’s friend in life and will continue to be his friend in death, a true friend is never truly gone. Their spirit lives on in the memories of those who loved him, memories made will never be forgotten and created a lasting impression on those he left behind. Everyone became a better person for having such a wonderful friend and human being as Hollis.
Hollis gone from our sight, but never from our hearts, may my condolences bring you comfort and may my prayers ease the pain of this loss.

Thanks Hollis for all teachings and development opportunities shared with all your team at Columbus Networks and LLA. Hard workers were inspired by example you showed and proper advise at the correct time. Rest in peace.

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Hollis. Hollis was such an amazing workhouse supporting myself and my team at Scotiabank for so many years. He was one of the few people I knew who I could count on to be transparent and honest with all his words. 

He was such a great person and will be missed.

To the Forde family,

I had the chance to speak with Hollis 4 or 5 times a day for years. Always a pleasant voice to hear and I am still in shock hearing the news. I will always miss our conversations and cannot believe I am writing this. Such a great man gone too soon. I will think of him often and am saddened by your family’s loss.

I worked with Hollis at Columbus/C&W. He was a mountain of a man in stature- tall, fit and I always asked him how he maintained such a physique being such an “old man”. He would always shyly laugh, as was his nature. I loved running into him as he had a wonderful positive nature, and as I had lived in Trinidad & Tobago for five years, there was always something to chat about in addition to work.

Life is about relationships and memories, and I smile when I think of Hollis, which makes a sad day a little brighter. Please accept my deepest condolences during this difficult time. John 

I worked with Hollis at Columbus/CWC  & being a fellow Trini like him we shared a great connection. He was someone I could always reach out to for advice. He would always tell me about his carnival days and living in Belmont. He would never come to the office without checking in on me. I am saddened by this news but I pray that his soul rest in eternal peace. May God grant his family & friends the strength and courage they need during this difficult time 🙏🏻. Fly High Hollis a truly great friend and co worker 🕊

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Hollis Elton Forde

26 mai 1949 – 1 novembre 2021

Kraeer Funeral Home & Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens

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