Vance "Bear" Holt 1948-2003

[Jim Casey]

While having breakfast this morning at Denny's with Mike Mahoney and Rob Peters, I happened to point out in our local paper how they charge peoiple to write obituaries. As I pointed this out, I caught a name I NEVER expected to see.

"Bear"

I looked and was stunned.

Everyone that has been on the Chat boards at DJ Chat or anywhere has known of the man they call "Bear".

Living only 20 miles from his home and having talked with him many time, we had planned to meet a few times only to have it be postponed by what now seems to be stupid reasons.

Unfortunately, I will never have the chance to meet Vance and I will regret that for the rest of DJ career and life.

Vance passed away the other evening. This is the obituary as it appeared in this morning's Portland Press Herald at www.portland.com

Vance B. 'The Bear' Holt, 55

WEST BALDWIN - Vance B. 'The Bear' Holt, 55, of 6 Bear's Way, off the Douglas Hill Road, died Monday, July 28, 2003 at his home in West Baldwin.

He was born in Claremont, N.H. on Feb. 16, 1948, a son of Charles and Rachel Borders Holt, Sr. He attended New Hampshire and Vermont grammar schools and graduated from Stevens High School in Claremont, N.H. He also attended Keene State College. As a young man, he was a police officer in Bridgton and was the Police Chief in York Beach.

He then worked as a buyer for Joy Manufacturing in Claremont, N.H. He worked as a buyer for Data General in Westbrook and also for some other local companies. He then became a self employed sales representative for large iron casting manufacturing companies all over New England and parts of Canada.

He semi-retired and had his own disc jockey business serving the local area as well as North Conway, N.H. He was very gifted and wrote beautiful poetry.

He enjoyed dancing both competitively and socially with his wife for many years. He had very strong moral convictions about how he conducted his life, and gave his all to any job or any situation that life brought to him.

Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Joan B. Holt of West Baldwin; a brother, Dr. Charles E. Holt, Jr. of Sun City, Ariz..; a sister, Pamela Filion of Claremont, N.H.; three stepsisters, Bonney Lunnie of Poultney, Vt., Carol Taylor, and Margaret Abbott; a stepbrother, Brad Kehoe; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be on Friday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. at the York Funeral Chapel, 71 Maple St., Cornish. The Rev. Greg Young will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to: Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, RR 1 Box 698 Fryeburg, Maine 04037

[DJMC]

He will be missed by everyone.

[DJ Scott]

frown

[John Daniels]

When I read the email you sent out, I was totally taken aback . . .

I didn't know Bear personally, but felt that I did just from the many threads we shared over the last few years of internetdom.

I will shed a tear for Bear tonight!

[Jim Casey]

I just finished a very emotional phone conversation with Joan (Vance's wife). She wanted me to let you know she is surviving although the last couple of days have been very tough. It has helped that she has received the love and support of her family and of Vance's extended DJ family nationwide.

He has had a series of health problems as many of you know. From diabetes to neuropathy and arthritis, Vance had become disabled slowly but surely over the past several years. It was very hard on him, considering his true love was Ballroom Dancing. Vance and Jo were Ballroom Dancing Champions.

He is forever immortalized on Ryan's DJU at http://dju.prodj.com/courses/music/c7.html

A tribute to Bear may be seen on DJ Reporter

http://www.djreporter.com/news/stars00.htm

The Maine Disc Jockey Network has offered to pick up the last remaining gig that he had in August for free as a tribute to Vance.

We are also sending donations to the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in his name.

If you would like to contribute, send your donations through Pay Pal to jim@djmaine.com

Vance, God Bless You! You will certainly be missed, but bever forgotten!

[Jim Casey]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Arial, Verdana">quote:<hr /><font size="3" face="Arial, Verdana"> Email from Jo Holt <hr /></blockquote><font size="3" face="Arial, Verdana">Jim,

Please thank everyone for the beautiful flowers.

I also appreciate the newsletter link and seeing his words - while we talked
about the boards and subjects I never really saw what his posts were as I
didn't go on the board.

The couple who do the Sr dances in Bridgton were at the service and
delighted that you had contacted them. Bear's family and I thank you for
all your support.

Jo Holt

[Jim Casey]

Look who's birthday it would have been today...

:yangel