David C. Holmes, 87, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 31, 2022 at Rose Monahan Hospice Home, with his family by his side, following an arduous fight with cancer. He was predeceased by his son, Jonathan B. Holmes, in 2020.

He leaves his beloved wife of 55 years, Marjorie C. (Babb) Holmes; daughter, Jennifer B. Katsirubas of Broomfield, CO; grandchildren, Jaclyn, Olivia, and Dakota, all of Colorado; and nieces, Melissa Gulley and her husband Kevin, of Newton, MA, and Kim Babb and her husband Niall Howlett, of Providence, RI.

Born and raised in Geneva, OH, David was the only child of Maurice H. and Lou M. (Brooks) Holmes. He received his B.A. in History from Oberlin College – after leaving Oberlin, David taught English as a Missionary with the Congregational Church, stationed in Turkey with his college roommate. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army in June of 1958, serving his country proudly for almost six years, before his honorable discharge. He then received his Master’s degree in History from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. David moved east to New England, and settled in Worcester County, where he began teaching at Quinsigamond Community College. He remained a beloved professor there for over forty years, before retiring.

He was a fierce lover of humanity and all things nature, and loved being outside tending to his flower and vegetable gardens. David will be remembered as an amazing husband, father, grandfather, devoted teacher, and colleague. He loved talking politics, and was a true Renaissance Man.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Society (https://www.massaudubon.org/).

Memorial calling hours will be held from 1 – 3 PM on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury, where masks will kindly be required. Burial will be held privately at a later date.