Charles William Holland's Obituary
Charles William Holland, 96, a Lee County, FL resident since 1969, formerly of Warsaw, IN passed away after a brief illness, on Saturday, February 22, 2020 in Fort Myers, FL. He was born in Forest Hills, MA on February 11, 1924 to the late Charles and Margaret Hope Holland. Charles was a Destroyer-based WWII United States Navy Veteran, serving in the Atlantic and Pacific. Following that deployment, he served two tours in the Air Force, stationed in Texas and Maine running military airfields. Following his service, he was coaxed into the mobile home industry in New Hampshire and ultimately Indiana. He was active and very successful in the mobile home industry, developing a business including sales, park development, insurance and furnishing. He retired early to Sanibel, Florida at 45 years old. After a year of beachcombing and three young children at home, he and his wife, June, went back into business. They opened retail businesses on Sanibel and did real estate development in Southwest Florida. His final project was Palmetto Palms, an RV development in Fort Myers. Throughout his adult and family life he was an active boater, spending the occasional summer exploring the Bahamas with his family. He is remembered as a hard-working husband and father who taught his children the value of self-employment, hard work and self-reliance. Charles is survived by his three children, Robert Mitchell Holland (Lisa) of Stuart, FL, Pamela Holland of Sarasota, FL and Elizabeth Holland Goerke (Kurt) of Fort Myers, FL; one sister, Lila Ruane of Arlington, VA; one brother, Mark Holland (Cindy) of Oregon; six grandchildren, Austin (Latoya), Emily (Fredrik), Kyle, Natalie, Mitchell and Nicholas; as well as two great grandchildren, Audrina and Luca. Charles was predeceased by his brother George Holland. A Graveside Service will be held at 3 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 2020 at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL where the Air Force will present Military Honors. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charles’ memory to the : American Lung Association Stair Climb Event in Fort Myers P.O. Box 07142 Fort Myers, FL 33919 Arrangements have been entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
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