Plaistow, NH: Paul E. Holmes, 96, a former resident of Plaistow for most of his life, died December 22, 2018 at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, son of the late Henry P. and Ruby (Rogers) Holmes, he moved to Plaistow at the age two and was raised in Plaistow, attending the Pollard School. He was a graduate of Haverhill High School and later received his certificate in Commercial Art and as an Electrical Draftsman from the former Haverhill Trade School.
A veteran of both World War II and the Korean Conflict, he served first in the U.S. Army Air Corps and later the U.S. Air Force as an Airman First Class. Mr. Holmes was first employed as a wiring and telephone installer for New England Telephone and Telegraph and later worked for twenty-five years as an Electrical Engineer at Raytheon before retiring in 1977. He co-owned and operated an antiques business with his late wife "Ginger", first at their residence on Kingston Road, and later at Red Bell Antiques and was a former owner of Knots Landing Antiques.
A member of the First Baptist Church of Plaistow, Mr. Holmes was also a sixty-seven year member and Past-Commander of the Carl Davis Post # 34 of the American Legion, Plaistow, a member and Past President of the Plaistow Historical Society, and a former member, Past-President and Secretary of the New Hampshire Archeological Society.
In addition to his interest in Archeology, he enjoyed building model planes and boats and was an avid gardener and accomplished Victorian Antiques restorer.
Predeceased in 2016 by his beloved wife of seventy-two years, Thelma "Ginger" (Fraize) Holmes, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by a son Barry G. Holmes and his wife Linda of Plaistow, and a son Paul H. Holmes and his partner Stephen Archibald of Portsmouth, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Constance "Connie" Cullen and Harriett Ingalls.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, December 28, 2018 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH. His funeral service will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the First Baptist Church, Main St., Plaistow. Burial with military honors will follow in Plaistow Cemetery. To send a message of condolence to the family, please visit www.brooksidechapelfh.com