John C. Holdsworth, OD,PhD

"Belchertown - Dr. John C. Holdsworth, OD, PhD, 76, died on August 17, 2019 at Baystate Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 16, 1943 in Bristol, CT, son of Harry W. and Margaret E. (Culliton) Holdsworth. He served his country as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. John has resided in Belchertown, MA since 2000 and previously resided in East Longmeadow, MA. He was a devout Catholic and an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown, MA. Before retiring in 2015, Dr. Holdsworth had a thriving optometry practice at BayState Eye Care in Springfield, MA. He is survived by his beloved wife, Justine (Grafton) Holdsworth of Belchertown, his four children: Laura Holdsworth of Heath, MA, Michael Holdsworth of Ledyard, CT, Mother Maria Mater Consecrata, SSVM (Carrie) Holdsworth of New Bedford, MA, Commander Jeffrey Holdsworth and his wife, Trisha Ventura of Chesapeake, VA, and his three grandchildren: Ryan, Leah, and Ean. He is also survived by his brother, William Holdsworth and his wife, Hope of West Covina, CA and his sister, Margaret Holdsworth of Littleton, MA. He is predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Marion Harrigan of Virginia Beach, VA and Virginia Powers of Montrose, PA. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2019 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at the Beers & Story Funeral Home in Belchertown, MA. Family and friends are invited to gather at Beers & Story on Friday, August 23, 2019 at 9:00 am for the procession to St. Francis of Assisi Church where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am. His burial, with military honors, will follow at South Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made in his honor to his daughter's religious community, The Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matára, 28 15th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 or at www.ssvmusa.org. For more information and to share memories of Dr. Holdsworth, please visit www.beersandstory.com ."