James A. “Jim” Holst, 76, of Simsbury, CT died Friday, August 27, 2021 at Yale New Haven Hospital of complications from a two year battle with Leukemia. He was born October 29, 1944 in Cleveland, OH, only son of the late Arthur S. and Frances (Koba) Holst and had lived in Atlanta, GA prior to moving to Simsbury 35 years ago. Jim attended Bowling Green State University and served for 4 years in the U.S. Navy with honorable discharge. His close friends lovingly referred to him as “Boulders” because of his large and engaging blue eyes. Jim was most proud of his work as Vice President of Construction for J. Riggings Clothier, and later served as a Construction Superintendent for Commercial Construction Service, Inc building highly detail oriented retail stores Nationwide.

Jim volunteered at the Simsbury Historical Society and was an active member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Avon where he sang proudly in the Choir. Jim had a love for music, especially Folk and Bluegrass and enjoyed playing the banjo, fingerstyle guitar, and singing harmony. In the late 1960’s he was a founding member of the folk group The South Shore Four who enjoyed relative success in the Cleveland area. He collected stamps, art, baseball cards, unique curios, and enjoyed photography and attending car shows. Jim loved to spend time in nature, gardening, fishing, boating and canoeing - all of which he used for inspiration to make his unique line of greeting cards. He was a voracious reader with a great talent for writing songs, quick witted puns, and poetry. If there was a joke to be cracked, he would find it.

In addition to his loving wife of 47 years, Valarie (Craver) Holst, he is survived by his son, Benjamin Holst and his partner Lauren Kelley of Atlanta, GA; his sister-in-law, Dorothy Frascati; his brothers-in-law, Paul Craver and wife Phyllis and Christopher Craver and wife Tiffany and 8 nieces and nephews, including his niece, Chelsea Jo Craver from whom he received much inspiration in his last two years of life. Nothing meant more to Jim than meaningful connections.

Jim’s family will receive friends on Friday, September 10th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 11th at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 224 Lovely Street in Avon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, PO Box 98018, Washington, DC 20090-8018 or to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 224 Lovely Street, Avon, CT 06001. Please visit Jim’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.