Michael James Holland

Michael James Holland, 56, died in Manchester, NH on August 1, 2017. Michael was born in Batavia, NY on September 5, 1960 to Jacquelyn A. Holland and Henry M. Holland, of Denver, CO. Michael had moved to Penacook, NH eight months ago from Providence, RI, where he had lived for 13 years. He is survived by his parents and four sisters: Jan Holland-Beachley (David) of Denver, CO, Hilary Holland (Richard) of Westminster, CO, Greta Van Benschoten (David) of Minneapolis, MN and Cara Holland (Jack) of Buckeye, AZ, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives. Michael was a handsome boy who worked hard to overcome the challenges of living with autism. He graduated from Denver East High School. Michael was a loving person, and a loyal son and brother and friend to many. He called his parents and sister every day, to share his love and to laugh his hearty laugh, with the recitation of the most recent family humor and dog antics. He smiled a lot and enjoyed a dry sense of humor. He lived with his parents in Denver for many years and later lived in New England in assisted living. Michael was an avid year-round fisherman who enjoyed “the catch” and would have eaten trout every day if he could have. He loved hockey, soccer, and football. He placed second in the February 2017 Concord, New Hampshire Black Ice Pond Hockey puck shoot-out. He remained a Broncos fan while living in New England. He loved listening to music and watching movies. Summers were filled with heavy metal concerts and a family vacation in Colorado, and winters were filled with hockey games and Christmas in Denver. He had close long-term relationships with two special staff in Rhode Island - Fred and Joe - who took him into their hearts and their families. He was proud of his new job at Walmart that he got all on his own working with “real people”. With the love and support of his family, Michael learned to advocate for himself. His self-confidence blossomed as his communication skills expanded to include computers and social media. He participated in walks for autism and served as a client representative on a local autism community advocacy board. He loved dogs and volunteered at dog shelters. As a volunteer at Providence Children’s Hospital, he helped children do craft activities in the waiting room. His booming, low voice was just perfect for calling numbers on Bingo night. He was taken in as family by a few special staff along the way, which is how he came to share the most endearing relationship with a little girl who just lit up his heart. On his way to heaven, he most certainly stopped to pick up his dogs - Pancho Villa, Sparky, and Paws to walk beside him. His time on earth was too short, but he left this earth the happiest and most confident man he had ever been. We will all miss him dearly. A Funeral Mass will be held at Risen Christ Catholic Parish, 3060 South Monaco Parkway, Denver, CO, on Friday, August 18, 2017, at 10 a.m., followed by interment at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 West Kenyon Avenue, Denver, CO at 12:15 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Michael’s name to The MaxFund, Denver, CO, Trout Unlimited, or the Autism Society.