John Page Holt III, veteran, DuPont retiree

John Page Holt III died peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at his home in Lewes with his family at his side. He was born Nov. 18, 1939, in Knoxville, Tenn., son of Jack and Bette Holt. 

He served in and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army following high school, and then met the love of his life, Barbara Harrington. John and Barbara married on Aug. 25, 1962, in Maynard, Mass. They moved to Cookeville, Tenn., where John enrolled and graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1966. After graduation, John began what would become a 30-year career with DuPont, culminating with his position as superintendent of human resources for DuPont Printing and Publishing operations in Boothwyn, Pa.

In retirement, John and Barbara discovered their new love of the community of Lewes, where they have enjoyed life with many friends and family gatherings. John and Barbara enjoyed many opportunities for travel throughout the United States and internationally but always enjoyed returning to their home in Lewes. In Lewes, John found close friendships and kindred spirits as a docent and proud member of the Dirty Hands Gang for Lightship Overfalls LV-118. He served as president and treasurer of Port Lewes Homeowner’s Association and as a member of the finance committee of Lewes Historical Society.

John was a consummate engineer whose love of design, construction, and use of tools was always a significant part of his life, and a part of what he was able to share and create for friends and family. He was a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was immensely proud of his three daughters and seven grandchildren, and loved the time spent talking, laughing and sharing with each one of them. He will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren and friends, but most of all by his life partner, Barbara, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage. He loved her dearly and considered their time together his greatest blessing.

John is survived by his wife, Barbara Harrington Holt of Lewes; his three children and their spouses and partners, Sandy Holt Cattafesta and Mark Cattafesta of Avondale, Pa., Tricia Holt and Christian Chiles of Norfolk, Va., and Page Holt and Jim Short of Lewes; and his grandchildren and their spouses and partners, Alex Cattafesta and Alexis Vega of Philadelphia, Pa., Emily Cattafesta and Abigail Cattafesta of Philadelphia, Noah Chiles and Becca Cornbrooks of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Chloe Chiles and Harrison Cook of Charlottesville, Va., Cooper Chiles of Norfolk, Casey Bell and Matt Torbert of Lewes, and Connor Bell of Avondale.

A memorial service will be held in Lewes at a later date. 

Memorial donations may be made to Lightship Overfalls Foundation, overfalls.org.

Final care has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Visit John's Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.