James Francis Holian

James was born and raised in Waterbury by the late Joseph and Mary (Sheehan) Holian. James’s lifetime was rooted in family, faith and tradition. He attended Saints Peter and Paul School, where he was an active member of the church and served as an altar boy. The Catholic Church would remain an important part of James’s life, and it was there, at Saints Peter and Paul, where he married the love of his life, Judy.

James was a proud graduate of Crosby High School, where he played basketball and earned the nickname “Hooks Holian”. He attended Fairfield University, earning a bachelor’s degree in education, and later, a master’s in educational leadership.

James dedicated his entire professional career to the Wolcott Board of Education, beginning as a high school English teacher before going on to serve as Director of Pupil Personnel Services. Following his retirement, James continued his commitment to serving others by working for the State of Connecticut, acting as a surrogate parent for students requiring special education services within the state school systems.

Many of James’s happiest memories were realized while spending summer vacations on Cape Cod with Judy and their children, as well as golfing and traveling with Judy and his dear, lifelong friends, Bill and Carol Fitzmaurice and Leo and Cindy Gillis. James cherished his grandchildren and took tremendous pride in being a part of their lives and many accomplishments.

James was predeceased by Judy, his wife of fifty-one years. He missed Judy dearly, and those who knew him understood just how much he looked forward to the day he would be reunited with her in heaven. James’s love and devotion to Judy were unwavering, particularly during her illness, during which James was her devoted caregiver.

James is survived by his five children: Stephen, Linda (Jeff Baker), Jeanne, Susan O’Connor (Brien) and Mark. He also leaves behind his eight grandchildren: Michael, Christopher and William Holian, and Grace, Rose, James, Sean and Clare O’Connor, as well as his beloved dog, Fredo. James was also predeceased by his brother, Jack, and his daughter in-law, Lori (Soucey) Holian.

The Holian family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the hospice team at Hartford Healthcare and to James’s devoted caregivers: Moses, Kwame, Joann and Anna, for the compassion, kindness and loving care they provided to James. The family will forever remember James’s wonderful caretakers with heartfelt appreciation.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 9, 2026 at St. Aloysius Church, 254 Burritt St, Plantsville at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 2324 E Main St, Waterbury. The DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington has been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave an online message of condolence for his family, please visit www.DellaVecchiaSouthington.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to: Southington Animal Rescue, https://www.southingtonanimalrescue.org/ or P.O. Box 10, Southington, CT 06489.