Thomas Joseph Holland

Thomas Joseph Holland,88, of Monmouth, IL, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025 in Monmouth. Tom’s passing was comforted by his deep faith and the presence of family who will forever cherish his loving spirit, support, strength, outgoing personality, and Irish wit.

Born on September 20, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, Tom grew up in a close-knit family that had recently immigrated from Ireland. He married his high school sweetheart, Veronica (Ronnie to him), just days after his college graduation in 1959, and together they shared a loving marriage for 55 years until Veronica’s passing in 2014. They built a beautiful life in Rhode Island, raising three daughters—Marybeth Holland O’Hearn, Patricia Holland Draves, and Margaret Holland McDuff—in a home filled with love and laughter. Throughout his life, Tom embraced the values of family, faith, education, hard work, and service, principles that shaped every chapter of his journey.

Tom enjoyed a successful career in sales and marketing for specialty chemical companies, where he took great pride in helping his clients make their ideas come to life. He especially valued his colleague Karen Carlson who became a close friend. In retirement, Tom and Veronica embraced the “snowbird life,” dividing their time between their cherished Cape Cod and Fort Myers, Florida. Both homes became gathering places for their three daughters, seven grandchildren, Kati, Kara, Alison, Benjamin, William, Thomas and Matthew, and sons-in-laws Tom, Jeff, and Michael. The Holland family living room became the stage where “family shows” were produced and the annual lobster and hot dog July 4 meals were enjoyed. He warmly welcomed his “new grandchildren” Paige (wife of Benjamin) and Kieran (husband of Kara) as special gifts to his growing family.

After Veronica’s passing, Tom devoted himself to the Secular Franciscan Order, living out the Gospel through charity, kindness, and humility. His faith was nurtured through communities at St. Columbkille Church in Fort Myers, later at St. Patrick Church in Grand River, Iowa, and most recently at Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth, Illinois. He shared a deep love of Christ with his sister Peggy. In his later years, Tom settled in the Midwest with his daughter Patricia and her husband Jeffrey, where he shared his New Yorker humor and warmth with his new friends.

Tom is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Veronica; his granddaughter, Alison, his son-in law Tom, his brother Edward, and other family members. He is survived by his three daughters, his sister Peggy, six grandchildren and two sons-in-law- all people he loved deeply.

A celebration of life for his family will be held on Cape Cod, Massachusetts at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating an hour to serving others or making a financial contribution to the Secular Franciscan Order (checks can be made out to OFS, c/o Lauri Picerno, Treasurer, 7380 Sikdadeer Way, Fort Myers, FL 33966.) The family extends heartfelt thanks for the support, kindness, and love shown during this time and over the years. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL is in charge of the arrangements.