Alphonse G. Holbert

Alphonse G. Holbert, 90, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2025, in West Warwick, Rhode Island. He was predeceased by his wife, Sheila (Stoutenberg); his parents, Clyde Sr. and Alene (St. Mark) Holbert; his sister, Daughn Linkroum; and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Russell (Elsie) Burtch and Clyde Jr. (Millie) Holbert. He is survived by his son, Walter (Allyssa) Holbert of Cranston, RI; his daughter, Sheila Laurie (Danielle Cummins) of Rockland, NY; and his beloved granddaughters Katrina, Victoria, Grace, and Hannah. He is also fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Born January 3, 1935 in Hancock, NY, Alphonse enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating high school, serving three years and attaining the rank of Sergeant. He earned several service ribbons, the Marksmanship Badge, and the Korean War ribbon. Following his Honorable Discharge, he was later recalled in connection with the Bay of Pigs invasion. Though he spoke little of his military years, he wore his Korean Veteran hat everywhere with pride. After returning home to Hancock, he met Sheila Stoutenberg, and they married in 1959. In 1964, they built their home on ‘Holbert Hill.’ Alphonse worked in his family’s lumber mill and at Bisbee Lumber before beginning a more than 30-year career as a mechanic with Bard Parker, later Becton Dickinson. He enjoyed fishing in the local brooks, deep sea fishing and fishing trips to Canada. He also loved to hunt and looked forward to his yearly week at ‘camp’. He enjoyed golfing for many years at leagues in Hancock as well as at Lake Lorain. Many memories were also made with time at the ‘lot’ camping with his family. In retirement, he became a daily presence at the Country Store for morning coffee, he enjoyed traveling in his motor home, taking his dream trip to Alaska and pulling his granddaughters across town in their red wagon for ice cream sandwiches. In 2019, Alphonse and Sheila sold their home of 55 years and relocated to Cranston, Rhode Island, where he became a “bonus grandpa” to Katie, Gibb, Trevor, Sarah, and Zach, and a “bonus (great grand) Papa” to Albus, Ben, Eli, and Jude. He also enjoyed his many dinner dates with his granddaughters. Alphonse approached life simply, valuing hard work, reliability, and kindness over anything material. Whether with family, friends, or neighbors, he offered a calm presence, a listening ear (even if he couldn’t hear all that was said), and a dependable hand whenever needed. His legacy is one of humility, warmth, and the unwavering goodness he brought into the lives of all who knew him.