William S. Holbrook 1932 - 2010 Brattleboro, Vermont

William S. Holbrook

William S. “Bill” Holbrook, 78, of Winter Street, Brattleboro, died unexpectedly Sept. 25, 2010, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Keene March 18, 1932, son of Gale and Hazel (Sewall) Holbrook. He was raised and educated in Keene, graduating from Keene High School in 1950.

A proud veteran of the Korean conflict, Mr. Holbrook served in the U.S. Navy on board the USS Tidewater. Following his honorable discharge from active service he returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Manch, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Brattleboro July 21, 1956.

For most of his career he worked as a printer at various printing companies that included Elliot Kimball and Markem in Keene, the BookPress and later for American Stratford, where he retired in 1994 following 30 faithful years of service with the company.


Active civically, Mr. Holbrook coached baseball for several greater Brattleboro youth leagues and enjoyed coaching his twin sons in baseball. He also played softball in the Brattleboro Men’s League for Emerson’s.

He was a member of the American Legion Brattleboro Post 5 and the B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge No. 1499. He enjoyed golf and was a longtime member of the Pine Grove Springs Country Club in Spofford.

An avid sports enthusiast, Mr. Holbrook was an avid Boston Red Sox, Celtics and New England Patriots fan who enjoyed discussing sports with his many friends.

With his wife he was a communicant of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church.

Survivors include his faithful and loving wife of 54 years; three daughters, Lisa Daniell of Brattleboro, Lori Brunelle and her husband, John, of Dummerston, Vt., and Lynn Galanes and her husband, Matthew, of Keene; twin sons, Robert Holbrook of Keene and William Holbrook of Brattleboro; one sister, Marjorie O’Neil and her husband, Chip, of Keene; a sister-in-law, Marie Gomez of Holyoke; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 2 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Rev. Richard O’Donnell as pastor and celebrant. Burial with full military honors will follow in St. Michael’s Parish Cemetery. Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro is in charge of arrangements (www.atamaniuk.com).

There are no calling hours.