The Family of Francis “Bill” Holmes and Grace E. Fisher Holmes

The Parents of Francis “Bill” Holmes

Fred Holmes and Phedora Sharp Holmes

The Parents of Grace E. Fisher

Purley Fisher and Edith Wilklow Fisher

Holmes Family Tree

Sharp Family Tree

Fisher Family Tree

Wilklow Family Tree

Marriages of Francis “Bill” Holmes

Marriage to Grace E. Fisher in 1932

Marriages of Grace E. Fisher

Marriage to Francis “Bill” Holmes in 1932

Springwater Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday

By Judy Tripp-Neu - The Valley View

June 2012

Grace Fisher Holmes was born June 18, 1912, and next Monday becomes a centenarian. The 13th Annual Springwater Gala was dedicated to her on Saturday, June 9, with a brief biographic sketch narrated by Don Haywood, a presentation of a basket of flowers by Deputy Supervisor Larry Gnau, and also a presentation by Town Historian, Havilah Toland, of a special stamp cancellation issued by the U.S. Post Office to honor her special day.

Grace Fisher was born to Purley and Edith (Wilklow) Fisher at home in Springwater and attended Springwater schools. She was one of eight children. In 1932, Grace married a local boy, Francis (Bill) Holmes son of Fred and Phedora (Dora) Holmes. Bill was also one of eight children.

Bill and Grace both worked for the Conesus Milk Producer’s Co-op in Webster’s Crossing; Grace as a secretary. When the co-op moved their offices to Lakeville, Grace commuted there until the Lakeville office closed and moved to Nunda. Bill worked at the Co-op in Websters Crossing until it closed and then began working for Stone Conveyor.

In 1950 Grace and Bill bought a farm on Mead Hill Road, and he farmed and continued to work for Stone Conveyor; Grace, meanwhile, continued her work for the Co-op traveling back and forth over the hill to Nunda for a total of 28 years. She was also busy raising a daughter, Joyce, and two sons, William (Billy) and Wayne.

After Bill’s death in October 1979, Grace sold the farm on Mead Hill Road and bought land on School Street. She had a home put in for her on the land and has lived there independently for the past 20 years. A tiny lady in stature with an easy smile and a hint of mischief in her eyes, she remains a very private person. One can often see her shopping with Joyce at the stores in Wayland or as Judge Haywood commented during the presentation “at the doctor’s or dentist’s offices for check-ups”.

The U.S. Census Bureau states that 1 out of every 4300 residents will live to 100 in the United States, and currently over 72,000 people are 100 or older. The United States currently has the most centenarians of any country in the world and many feel that is directly attributable to better medical care and the dramatic drop in childhood mortality rates since the 1900s.

Researchers of centenarians list the common denominators for longevity to be a positive but realistic attitude, a love of life and a sense of humor, spirituality, courage, and a remarkable ability to accept the losses that come with age and not be stopped by them. Grace was born before World War I, survived the flu pandemic of 1918, lived through the Great Depression, and several wars and conflicts in her adult life. She is not a quitter, and she is about to realize her dream of living to 100.

When asked if she had any other aspirations beyond living to 100, she simply shook her head and smiled. Happy Birthday Grace! May you find peace and contentment in your well-earned longevity! You are an inspiration to all of us and the people of Springwater salute you!

The Obituary of Francis “Bill” Holmes

15 February 1912 - 4 October 1979

From the Genesee Country Express, 11 October 1979

Springwater - A funeral service was conducted Saturday in the Springwater United Methodist Church for Francis “Bill” Holmes of Mead Hill Rd., Springwater NY.

Mr. Holmes, 67, died Thursday Oct. 4, 1979 in Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, following a short illness.

Born in Conesus, he had lived in Springwater for 50 years. He was employed by the Stone Conveyor Co. before his retirement a year ago.

Surviving are his wife, Grace E.; a daughter, Mrs. Joyce O’Neil of Springwater; two sons, William F. of Springwater and Wayne R. Holmes of Stanley; three sisters, Mrs. Lucille Fisher, Mrs. Mary Perkins and Mrs. Thelma Clapp, all of Springwater; two brothers, Frederick Holmes of Dansville and Gerald Holmes of Dansville; seven grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the St. George - Stanton Funeral Home in Wayland.

The Obituary of Grace E. Fisher Holmes

18 June 1912 - 13 January 2015

From the St. George - Stanton Funeral Home, Wayland, NY

Springwater — Grace E. Holmes, 102 years of age, passed away early Tuesday morning, January 13, 2015 at M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center in Canandaigua.

Grace was born June 18, 1912 in Springwater the daughter of Purley and Edith (Wilklow) Fisher. She grew up in Springwater, was a graduate of the 1932 Class at Springwater Union School and remained a life resident of the Springwater area. Grace and Francis “Bill” Holmes were married July 23rd, 1932 and together celebrated over 47 years of marriage prior to Bill passing away in 1979. She worked for the Conesus Milk Producers and retired from there after 20 years of employment. The remaining time, Grace was a homemaker for her family that included her husband, Bill and her children, Joyce, Bill and Wayne. Her hobbies were many as she enjoyed needle work, playing cards, both solitaire and pitch (which included many pitch parties with different couples). She enjoyed watching football, baseball and basketball on television. Grace was also a dedicated member of the Springwater United Methodist Church for most of her life.

Grace was pre-deceased by her parents, Purley and Edith Fisher; her husband, Francis “Bill” Holmes; her son-in-law John O’Neil; a granddaughter, Babette Stauffer; and her siblings, Claude Fisher, Francis Fisher, Art Fisher, Eva Benson, Winnie Fisher, Ken Fisher and Marge Adams. She is survived by her children, Joyce O’Neil of Springwater, William (Martha Sue) Holmes of Cadiz, KY, and Wayne (Vada) Holmes of Springwater; her grandchildren, Jeff (Shirley) O’Neil of Wayland, Jan O’Neil (Jackie Malone) of Springwater, Christine (Michael) Haefner of Dallas, TX, Theresa (Kevin) FitzPatrick of Penfield, Gregory (Bobbie) Holmes of Governeur, NY and David Holmes of Locke, NY; 17 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews.

Grace’s family and friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Saturday at 11:00am at the Springwater United Methodist Church, 8001 S. Main St., Springwater. Reverend Ray Shaw will officiate the service. Memorial contributions in Grace E. Holmes’s memory may be made to the Springwater United Methodist Church, 8001 S. Main St., Springwater, NY 14560 or to the Springwater Fire Dept.(Ambulance Fund), PO Box 289 Springwater, NY 14560.

The Burial of Francis “Bill” Holmes

Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Livonia NY

The Burial of Grace E. Fisher Holmes

Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Livonia NY

Newspaper articles from FultonHistory.com