Obituary of Thomas William Holehouse

Thomas William Holehouse, of Santa Barbara, CA passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2023, two days shy of his 64^th birthday.   Born September 25, 1959, in Springville New York, Tom was the youngest of ten children born to Robert Murray Holehouse and Anita Clare O’Brien Holehouse.  

He is survived by his two daughters, Clare Marie Holehouse of Santa Barbara and Erin Michelle  Holehouse of San Diego as well as his wife of almost 31 years, Jody Dolan Holehouse, his brothers, Brien, Paul, John, James, Joseph, and his sisters Mary Ellen Brennan, Elaine Ferguson and Patricia Miller, 23 nieces and nephews, 32 great nieces and nephews and many dear friends and special neighbors, Connie Delbert Marquez, Sam Marquez and Jean Paul Beauchesne who looked in on him and cared for him in his final days.  He is predeceased by his brother, Ronald Holehouse, as well as his parents, Bob and Anita.

His youngest years were in the hamlet of Eden, New York with the annual corn festival, kazoo factory and Cromer’s mill memories until the younger part of the family moved south to St Petersburg, Florida, where Tom forged wonderful friendships and graduated from St Pete High School. Tom enlisted in the Air Force where he was assigned to be a surgical tech at Hill AFB near Ogden UT and developed his skills for the meticulous and comfort with medical professionals.  Later, he used these skills in managing the Pueblo Medical Commons for Andy Dunn, Dr. Marty Gilbar and Dr. Ray Robins working with many doctors and their staff.  Tom traveled in Europe, worked with his local brother, John Holehouse at Holehouse Construction and managed real estate where he provided housing for many at affordable prices.

For many years, Tom raced Wet Wednesdays faithfully with Andy on the J/24 sailing vessel, Cowabunga!  It was on Cowabunga! where Jody was referred to race and the relationship sitting cheek to the teak, rolling sails and celebrating at Joe’s Cafe was forged as Jody saw in Tom the incredibly honorable person that he was and Tom wooed Jody as no one ever had. Cowabunga! remains in the family now in the care of Clare and Erin.

Tom loved making people smile and laugh and had a special talent for connecting with people.  Tom developed the famous J/24 Club Crab Boil which sailing friends hosted over the years for the J/24 one design sailing club.  He loved to golf with his golfing buddies, Bill, Graham, Andy, Mark, Glen and others.  

As the primary caregiving parent to Clare and Erin, Tom set up their Seashells sailing lessons and races, supported their softball and volleyball games, encouraged and supported Clare to join AAPLE and Erin to join the Entrepreneurship Academy at San Marcos High School which sparked their passion for their careers in business and entrepreneurship.  He took them on camping trips which made them appreciate nature, the simple things in life and quality family time together which also includes many special Holehouse extended family gatherings and reunions across the country. He had the biggest heart with an ability to make sure everyone felt valued. He brought a special light into every room he walked into. While he was taken too early and we will miss him dearly, we hope to carry his light in us every day. 

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at San Roque Church, Santa Barbara, CA. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in his memory and consider the Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation to help encourage more youth to learn this incredibly valuable Corinthian skill that overcomes fear and helps to build skills that conquer the living conflicts of man versus himself, machine, nature and man all while fostering mutual respect.