Bernard Holda
d. July 8, 2009
Bernard J. Holda 92, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wed.
July 8th.
He was born Dec. 9, 1916, son of Polish immigrants John & Victoria (Wantuch)
Holda.
Bernie attended Monson schools and graduated from Monson High School in 1937.
Sgt. Holda was a humble man and hero of World War II. He fought in 5 campaigns,
Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Battle of the Bulge and Central Europe.
Medals awarded include; Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct, European African,
Middle East theater campaign. 5 Bronze Campaign Stars, the Belgian Fourragere,
French Croix de Guerre.
The most prestigious award was the Bronze Star for valor during action in the
Battle of the Bulge where Sgt. Holda advanced his radio 300 yards past his
defensive post & in the face of heavy fire from an enemy tank, reached an
observation post so that accurate fire could be placed on the enemy.
After the war he returned to C. F. Church Mfg. Co. in Monson where he worked as
manager of Quality Control for 43 years, retiring in 1980. He was a lifelong
member of the American Legion post 241 and St. Patrickâs parish in Monson.
He was an avid golfer and card player who loved playing with his close friends,
Ken Carlson, Bill Coulter and Julian Zawacki. Bernie loved his home, garden and
was a passionate baseball fan.
Bernie was predeceased by his loving wife of 37 years Estella (Taylor) Holda,
who died in 1990 and also by his siblings; brothers Matthew, Stanley and Felix
and sister Helen (Holda) Dunn.
He leaves his sister in-law Catherine (Hipsky) Holda and niece and caregiver
Mary Masse, nephew Jimmy Holda and wife Lori, niece Rose-Marie (Holda) Picard
and husband Paul, nephew Felix Holda and wife Kay, nephew Edward Holda and wife
Dee, niece Christine (Holda) Bates, Peggy-Ann Schattagen and husband Carl,
nephews Charles Taylor, caregiver Mark Taylor, and Gary Taylor, and Wendy and
Eric Dryden. He also leaves many cousins and great nieces and nephews.
Bernie was able to live at home with the help of his caregivers and
nurses Peggy Allard and Christine St.
Laurent from the Quaboag Valley Hospice.
Funeral services will be held Monday July 13, 2009 beginning at 9:15 from Lombard Funeral Home 3 Bridge St. and Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Patrick's Church with burial at Hillcrest Cemetery all in Monson. Visiting hours will be held Sunday from 1-3pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Quaboag Valley Hospice 40B Wright St Palmer, MA 01069, the Monson
Senior Center Main St. Monson, MA, or St. Patrickâs Restoration Fund PO Box 473 Monson, MA 01057