Elwin M. ‘Benny’ Holmes, 87, of Skowhegan, passed away on Aug. 1 at the Woodlawn Nursing Home and Rehab Center in Skowhegan, surrounded by his immediate family.
He was born in Skowhegan on March 18, 1922 to Lillian (Swain) and Benjamin Holmes, and married Catherine Turcotte in 1946.
PFC Holmes served in the U.S. Army as a Scout during WWII and received a Purple Heart for severe injuries sustained in Italy when a mortar attack left him the sole survivor in a foxhole. He also received several other medals and recognition, and was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Benny worked all of his life at various occupations, despite only reaching 9th grade. He worked at White’s Poultry Farm on Hilton Hill in the 1950s, on the Kennebec River as a Log Driver, and the Maine Spinning Company in Skowhegan. He retired in 1986 after 14 years of summers paving with Warren Brothers and Tilcon, and winters with the Skowhegan Highway Department.
Benny loved trout fishing, deer hunting, and vegetable gardening.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine of Bremen; sister, Helen Withee of Skowhegan; son, Gary and wife Diane of Skowhegan; daughter, Linda Celentano and husband Michael of Bremen; grandchildren, Jason, Jennifer, Kevin, and Keri; and five great-grandchildren.
Celebration of his life 12-4 p.m., Sat., Aug. 29 at his long-time home at 111 Fairview Ave. in Skowhegan.