J.B. "Holly" Hollingsworth

Two days shy of his 90th birthday, J.B. "Holly" Hollingsworth was called home to Heaven.  He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on August 22, 1933, to John and Madeline Hollingsworth.  Holly is survived by his wife Pat, his sons Larry and Tim and their families, stepsons Doug and Jeff Peckins and their families, as well as extended family members and many friends.   His family meant the world to him, and although they were far-flung, he held them close in his heart and cherished time spent with them.

Holly lived an interesting life of working and being fired - six times, he said - with employers ranging from Allen Tractor in Ithaca to Mohawk Airlines, Miliken Station, Ithaca Motors, High-Speed Checkweigher, and NCR.   He had an ESSO station on Meadow Street and was a student at Cornell University until he "busted out" as he put it, after two years. Somewhere in there, he was a Boy Scout leader and "chased sprint cars up and down the east coast."

In 1954, he volunteered for the draft and served in Company B, 714th Tank Battalion for two years, a stint of service that was a source of great pride and many memories.

After all of that, and best of all, he sold "Genuine GI" at his store, Holly's Surplus in Ithaca.  At last, his passion for America and everyone serving  in the military found daily expression at this favorite "job."  He often talked about missing the people he encountered there.

After closing his store in 2002, Holly's focus became Ithaca's DeWitt Park where members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 377, his second family, volunteered to clean the park with an assist from Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.  He spearheaded an effort to rededicate the park, an event that happened under sunny skies, between two days of rain, in October 2009.  That day became "Holly Hollingsworth Day" by proclamation of Mayor Carolyn Peterson.  One line may sound familiar:  "Whereas, he exhibited strong leadership for the past three years, including a remarkable ability to cajole, persuade, and persist...."

If the need were ever to arise again, Holly said, he'd be ready to send packages once again to American men and women in uniform.  It's a project he had experience with, having packed and mailed nearly 900 boxes to the troops, beginning with Desert Storm.  He insisted that others be given credit for their support and help, including Vietnam vets, people from the community and from Trinity Lutheran Church.

Holly loved the Lord and had a hand in establishing Trinity Lutheran Church on Honness Lane, where he enjoyed worshiping with his "brothers and sisters."  Humble and passionate and a servant at heart, he embodies the POW/MIA slogan:  "You are gone but not forgotten."

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 24th from 9 – 11am at Trinity Lutheran Church.  A funeral service will follow at 11am.  The burial will be in Brookton Cemetery at 2pm.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Bangs Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made to Holly’s family at www.bangsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Trinity Lutheran Church, the National League of Families, or the Boy Scouts of America.