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In memory of

Cuthbert L. Holder

Tobyhanna, PA, USA

November 20, 1925 - December 26, 2020

Nov 20, 1925 - Dec 26, 2020

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Cuthbert L. Holder passed peacefully the morning on December 26, 2020 after a gradual decline in health. He was surrounded and supported by his loving family and caregivers during his last days. Bert was born in Manhattan, NY in 1925. He was the first child of five born in America after his parents, Hamilton and Lousie Holder immigrated from Barbados. In 1953 he married his beloved wife Sixta Iris Marquez. After living in Queens, NY they became a resident of North Babylon, Long Island where Bert and Iris raised both of their daughters, Marcela and Lisa. Bert spent the remaining of his life in Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania where he built his home and resided for the last 32 years.

Bert was drafted into the Navy in 1943 during his first semester of his senior year at DeWitt Clinton HS. He was a part of USS Mount McKinley ship which departed from Norfolk, VA in 1944. The ship wasn’t a battleship, however a flagship for commanding officers. Bert was originally hired as a Steward’s Mate First Class (the lowest position in the US Navy). He then was promoted to a transcriber and Morse Code Operator considering he was one of a few members who had a high school education.

Bert was one of ten men on the ship to get tested for penmanship and the speed of their writing. He excelled on the test which got him his promotion. Each day he would sit in the captain’s chambers and transcribe what the commanding officers were discussing. Succeeding the meetings, Bert would send his transcript to headquarters and other ships through Morse Code. One day he decoded a Morse Code that his ship received, which read that their sister ship was attacked and they needed to retreat. Bert was one of the few minorities to receive a GI Bill for WWII which allowed him to purchase his home in the suburbs of NY.

Following his military services, Bert, finished his high school degree in 1946 and later became a US mailman in which is retired after 30+ years of service. During his retirement in the Poconos, Bert became the President of the Whispering Glenn Community for 5 years and a chairmen of the board.

Bert is survived by his two daughters: Marcela Johnson and Lisa Holder, his son-in-laws: Joe Johnson and Donald Hopson, his three grandchildren: Joseph Johnson, Adriana Johnson and Armando Hopson, his two great-grandchildren: Taya Johnson and Myles Johnson. Bert is also survived by his nieces: Linda Alkins, Michele Pierce, Tina Garlington, his nephew: Micheal Marquez and a plethora of cousins and great nieces and nephews.

Bert was preceded by his wife, Sixta Iris Marquez Holder, his parents: Hamilton and Louise Motley Holder, his brother-in-law, Joe Marquez, his three brothers, Wilfred Holder, Othneal Holder and Clyde Holder, his sister: Corine Holder Alkins, his niece: Barbara Alkins and his nephew: Tony Marquez.

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