Robert James Holly

Robert James Holly, 86 passed away November 1, 2010. Born on June 17, 1924 he was a native of Erie, PA and was the son of the late William and Clara Obrian Holly. He received his early education at Enerson-Gridley Elementary School and graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1942. He also attended Delaware County College and Palm Beach Community College earning a law enforcement degree. He was a World War II veteran serving as a Paratrooper in the 17th and 82nd Airborne Divisions earning the Purple Heart and three combat battle stars while stationed in Europe. Upon his discharge he was hired as a Distiller Sales Representative for the Erie, PA area by The House of Seagram in 1951. He was promoted in 1953 to Supervisor covering both Erie and Pittsburgh areas. In 1956 he was promoted to Assistant Store Manager in the Philadelphia and Harrisburg area. In 1961 he was named PA Regional Director for the entire state of Pennsylvania. In 1965 he was promoted to Assistant to the President in the home office at 375 Park Avenue for nine Eastern markets. After thirty five years he chose early retirement and decided to pursue a law enforcement career full time. He had been a part time police officer in New Jersey while living there. He moved to the Valley Forge area and became a State Park Officer in Valley Forge Park. When the U.S. Government took control of the park he was named a Federal Park Ranger and became the Supervisor of The Mounted Patrol. He moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and was hired as a Deputy Sheriff of the Palm Beach Sheriff Department, assigned to the Court Division. He then moved to Sun City in Hilton Head, SC and resided there. He was a volunteer in the Bluffton, SC Police Department since 2006. He was a life long member of the American Legion, VFW Fraternal Order of Police, Sun City Veterans