Deforest Holdridge

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Deforest (Dee) Holdridge, 80, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and husband.  Dee was born in Oneonta, New York, on September 8, 1943, to Byron and Sylvia (Babcock), and passed away peacefully in White Plains, NY, on August 18, 2024. 

Dee moved to Rockland County, New York, as an adolescent with his loving parents and sisters; where he was raised in Pomona, New York, later owning a home in Thiells, New York, before finally settling in Stony Point, New York. 

Early on in his career, Dee was a skilled mason, later owning numerous delicatessens throughout Rockland County, New York; building up business and then selling them off before moving on to the next.  Adored by many, Dee was a great storyteller, which often was about one of his “hellraising” adventures with his buddies.  Dee was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved gardening and just spending time in the woods or on the family farm.  

Dee is survived by his devoted children, Byron and wife Karen, Shawn and wife Marian and AdaJo and husband Wayne.  Stepdaughters, Caryn and husband Nick and Kim and husband J.R. His sisters Ada and Joanne and husband Phil. Nieces and nephews, Ralph, Roberta, Margaret (Missy), Phillip and Joleyne. Dee earned his greatest title as “Pop-Pop” and will be terribly missed by his grandchildren, Tyler, Melanie, Justin, Brandon, Gillian, Alexandra (Alex), and Marissa.  He was welcomed into heaven by his parents, as well as his uncles, Deforest and Donald. Dee loved life, had endless, devoted, and loyal friends, and will forever be loved and missed.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, from 11 AM to 2 PM, with a memorial starting at 1:30PM, at T.J. McGowan Sons Funeral Home, 71 North Central Highway, Garnerville, NY 10923.