Harold George Holmstock

Harold, son of Nathan Holmstock and Sarah Stuart, loving husband of the late Ruth Spindler Holmstock for 61 years, passed away on July 1, 2017 in the Herrick House Assisted Living Facility in Beverly, MA. Harold and Ruth had a long and loving marriage. Harold, graduated from Tufts University in 1934 with a degree in chemical engineering. During World War 11 he worked at the Rhode Island Naval Station due to his war specialty as a chemist.

Harold was buried next to his beloved Ruth at a graveside ceremony at Poali Zedeck Cemetery in Everett, MA. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, July 5, 2017, at the Benezra Home, 41 Timberlane. Plymouth MA.

Harold left his engineering career to assist Ruth in successfully running a yarn shop on Beacon Street in Brookline until 1971. Among other things their shop knitted dresses and other apparel for members of the entertainment industry such as Sammy Davis Junior, and for Presidents’ wives. Harold and Ruth then retired and spent their time between Florida and Massachusetts, as well as travelling.

Harold is survived by his nieces Deena Baram Ferrara and Ava Baram Sarafan of Acton, MA, and dear friends Jerry and Linda Benezra of Plymouth and their children Adam Benezra, Scott Benezra, Lorissa Lemay, and their families, and many others whose lives he touched, who remember him fondly. Everyone who met Harold loved him as most recently exemplified by the staff and caretakers at the Herrick House, Chaplains there and at his previous assisted living home; and the fact that, when he moved to Herrick house previous caretakers came to visit him there.

Harold was also visited often by the Brown Family of Arizona, whose sons, much younger than Harold would visit him whenever they were on the east coast.

Harold was the penultimate raconteur who told stories of his childhood home in the West End of Boston, and being raised by his mother and her sister. One favorite was the time when he was selling peanuts as a youngster in the old Braves Field and met the fabled Babe Ruth. Another was skipping school and going to the Old Howard vaudeville shows.

Harold also loved to tell stories of his adventures with Augie & Margo, a professional dance couple, who performed with entertainers including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., and other members of the Rat Pack as well as about his time spent with Xavier Cugat, and Charo.

Harold loved his relatives who he was related to through two step sisters in England. Until he was 65 Harold thought he was an only child, but then he discovered he had two half-sisters living in England. It was one of the happiest moments of his life and he visited and corresponded with Freda and Gwen frequently until they both passed on a few years ago. Harold loved telling the story of how he learned of their existence, their first meeting, and other visits over the years.

Harold was an accomplished musician and played the organ well past his 104th birthday, as recently, as last month. Harold loved all kinds of music, especially Latin and Klezmer (with Klezmer experts visiting him occasionally at his home). He was also an accomplished dancer and he and Ruth cut many a rug during parties in their home, the Sidney Hill Country Club, and night clubs and dance halls.

In addition to his playing the organ, Harold passed on his love of music teaching Thomas, Emmett, and Orie Benezra to play when they visited.

Harold was a master card player an expert at bridge, and at gin rummy, enjoying weekly card games he hosted until he gave up his apartment, after living independently until well after he turned 100.

Harold’s was a life well lived.