Leonard Richard Holwell
December 20, 1933 to February 7, 2020
Obituary
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Leonard Holwell on February 7, 2020 at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s at the age of 86.
Leaving to mourn his wife of 61 years Betty, his two daughters Michele Holwell (Chris Critch), and Joanne Heffernan (Paul).
His grandchildren Jessica Gorman (Dave), Geoff Heffernan (Kayla), Patrick Heffernan (Angela), Jonathan Critch (David MacIntyre), & Matthew Critch (Seana Biggs).
Great grandchildren Ben and Abigail Gorman, Spencer and Rachael Heffernan and Jane Heffernan.
His brothers and sisters in law Marilyn and Gary Viscount, Tom Earle, Bill and Judy Earle, Ann Earle, Jeanette and Cyril Attwood, Janet Martin, and Dot Holwell.
Also many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Marilyn and Gary Viscount for their unconditional love and support given to Len and Betty these past few months.
Special mention to his daily coffee buddies at the Village Mall as well as his softball friends at Lions Park.
Thank you to Dr. Haley and nurses Jonathan and Brandy at the Health Sciences Centre for their care and professionalism during Dad’s final hours.
Len was the last family member of the late William & Gertrude Holwell.
Resting at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, Sunday February 9th from 7-9, and Monday February 10th from 12-9.
Funeral to take place at St. Thomas’s Anglican Church 8 Military Road at 2pm Tuesday February 11. Cremation to follow.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Vera Perlin Society, 350 Pennywell Road, St. John’s.
To send a message of condolence please visit www.carnells.com
Schedule
Visitations
7-9 p.m. on February 9, 2020
12 - 9 p.m. on February 10, 2020
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
funeral
2:00pm, Tuesday February 11th
St. Thomas Anglican Church
Betty ,
Our deepest condolences on Len’s passing.. We remember him as a very warm and gentle man..Our
Prayers and thoughts are with you on this sad occasion…
Hugs,
Barb and Ralph Ryan
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Betty, we were so sorry to hear of Len’s passing. Our condolences to you and your family..
Edward and Brenda Colford
I am saddened to hear the news about Len’s passing. I met Len when working at Mile One, he was a great hockey fan but above all a family man, he always talked about his family, children, grandchildren and his trip to Ireland and although I never met you, at that time it felt like I knew you all. Keep your memories close, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. My most sincere condolences. Rest easy my friend!
Joanne, Paul, Geoff, Jessica and Pat. and you family, so sorry to hear about your dad. Please accept our condolences, keep your memories close to your heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time
Joanne and family, just hearing the news about your Dad, my deepest condolences to you ,your mom and all the family. Keeping you in thoughts and prayers
Kelly Skinner
Sending you all 0sincere condolences on the passing of a genuine, kind and humorous gentleman .who had such a big heart. He showed such sincere appreciation of my Nan and the rosaries she said for him when he had health challenges. Hoping they meet again in Heaven where they will surely have much to catch up on.
And what fun he was when I knew him to be through Michele during our high school years.! Always positive with a twinkle in his eyes, it seemed. May he rest in peace.
Joanne and family sorry for your loss. A fond memory of your dad for me was when you and I volunteered for the Canada Games for the Physically Disabled. He was always on the move helping somebody. Your dad never failed to ask me how my mother and father were .and only had kind words to say.
Betty and Family, so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
So sorry for you’re loss.
Len was such a story teller.He will be missed.
Condolences to family and friends.
RIP
My sincerest sympathies, Len was a great volunteer with the blind sports association in the 70’s and 80’s. In later years I enjoyed running into him at the mall and catching up. He was a fine man.
Sorry to hear Of Len,’s passing. Sincere condolences to Betty and family..
From Hazel ( Kelly ) Whittle: My sincere condolences to Lens family. He will be missed as Len was truly a nice man.
Hazel Whittle
Betty and family, thinking of you as you mourn the passing of a much loved and cherished husband and a devoted and dedicated father. I remember Len from the days at the Rehab Centre. The kids all loved his happy go lucky and endearing ways. Len always made time for each and everyone of them. May Len’s gentle soul rest in peace and love.
I knew Leonard for almost 75 years and, while we were not close friends, I liked him very much and I think he reciprocated. We usually saw each other once a year at the Anglican Cemetery service on Kenmount Road. I read of his passing with regret and would like to extend my sincere condolences.
Betty & Family: My sincere condolences! Len was a fantastic guy & helped me in so many ways while I was a patient at the Children’s Rehab Centre. I & many others will truly miss him! My thoughts & prayers are with you during this difficult time!
Felix
Betty and family,so sad to hear of the news of Len’s passing.Len and Betty where a big part of our lives while our father Joe Cook was still alive.They were so supportive and caring .Len with his witty sense of humour always was the life of any gathering that my family had the privilege attending..
Paul and JoAnne Cook
To Betty and Family:
I am sorry to learn of Len’s passing.
I had the extreme pleasure of working with Len
as far back an the late 60’s at the Rehab Centre. His personality, love and care for the children was exemplary.
On a personal basis, post Rehab Centre, Jean and I always looked forward to and appreciated his company.
I truly believe the world is a better place because Len was here.
Jean and I share your loss.
Dave Sparkes
Betty and families…..Sending condolences to you all. Len was a wonderful human being and am so great full to have know him. He was so vibrant and so enjoyed life. Know he is at Peace. Bless you all.
Cathy
To Betty and Family,
We are sorry to learn of Len’s passing. Our sincerest thoughts and sympathies are with you at this sad time.
I remember Len from the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre. He was a kind and carIng man. He will be missed by all who knew him. To Len’s family and friends, please accept our sincere condolences.
Sorry to hear of Len’s passing. I would always meet him and Betty in the supermarket and would always have a chat and catch up on what was going on in the neighbourhood. Len and Betty lived on Brazil Square and me on Casey st. RIP LEN.
I met Len Holwell nearly 43 years ago. We had a short conversation that day outside his home on Brazil Street and being a taciturn teenager at the time I still can’t believe he got so much information out of me in only 10 minutes. I see now he was interviewing me and learning who “my people” were so he could connect all the many social dots in St John’s and find out if a I was a good guy or not. I was there on a big black motorcycle picking up my date, Michele. Len was waiting for me outside while she was inside having a very different sort of conversation with her Mom Betty about the dangers of that sort of transportation.
So after a while Len says Shelly can go only if I give him a ride on my bike first so he can decide if I’m a good driver or not. He put on a helmet and hopped on the back before I could reconsider my choice of date. The ride down Water Street and around Harbour Drive went well and I got a thumbs up from Len when we got back to his house where Michele was waiting with a nervous look on her face. Len got off the bike with a big smile on his face and basically adopted me on the spot.
Len has been in my life ever since. He has been present at all my biggest moments and my home is full of things that he gave me and my children over the years, not the least of which was his first daughter. He will be with me in spirit forever.
So Sorry , Our Thoughts And Prayers Are With You All At This Sad Time
VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF LENS PASSING..
Aunt Betty, Michele, Joanne and family, so sorry to hear of Uncle Len’s passing.
As the last of Dad’s brothers to pass, my mind has been returning to those early years growing up. Dad and my four uncles had character and a joy of life that was infectious and as a kid was especially fun to be around. No one personified this more then uncle Len . I remember the fishing trips( getting lost on one ) the haircuts at Nan’s on Sunday mornings, Uncle Len trying to convince me to go to St. Thomas’s for Church as they played Cowboys and Indians there. (I was Catholic) much to Nans chagrin .Uncle Len was a constant in my life and was always there for Dad and our family and I always appreciated that. He was at his best when surrounded by kids, he could entertain and I was so happy that my kids got to know him and still remember his antics. He will be lovingly missed.
Betty, Michelle and Joanne, So sorry to hear of Len’s passing. Len was our neighbour on Brazil Street; such a friendly person, always with a smile and happy manner. When we spoke at Mom’s visitation some years back, Len was still that lovely man. He’ll surely be missed. My deep sympathy to all of Len’s family on their loss.
Sincere condolences to the Family I worked at the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre with Len
Dear Betty,
My condolences on the loss of your husband. May fond memories sustain you at this difficult time.
Kindest regards
Clare
Betty, Michele, Joanne: Maureen and I are deeply saddened by your great loss. Uncle Len was a very caring family man and a true friend to me. Betty, you and Len were always there for Maureen and me since the day we go married. Thank you so much. Len was more than an Uncle to me, he was my friend and mentor. He taught me so much as I was growing up. There is only an 8 year difference between us so we spent a lot of time together, fishing, sharing a beer or two, coffee time and lots and lots of walking and talking. I really enjoyed his conversations about his life and his stories. We moved away in 1969 but we would return every year and the first one I looked for was my Uncle Len. I have so many wonderful memories of him and I love him dearly. Our five children, David, Donna, Diane, Susan and Kathy remember him as their funny Uncle as he was always visiting and playing with them. We can all be assured though that one day we will all be reunited with him in the presence of Jesus. Again I want to thank you Uncle Len and Betty for making our lives so much better; because of your kindness and your unconditional love. May the Good Lord bring you peace and comfort as you go through this time of trial. Thank you and God bless you all.
Dave, Maureen and kids.
My love and condolences to Betty, Michele and Joanne as you honour Len’s life. I have fond memories of working with Len in Physiotherapy at The General Hospital and at The Children’s Rehabilitation Centre and of his friendship.
Jane
Sincere sympathy to Len’s family. We worked together
at Exon, and Claude was in his exercise group. Always
greeted you with a smile, a gentle and kind gentleman.
he will be missed by family and many many friends
So sad to hear this news this evening. Our sincere condolences to Betty and Family. I worked with Len for many years at the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre. It was always a pleasure to run into him, he always had a smile that made you feel good. Len and I would always meet at the Regatta and he would say to me “Oh well we both made it another year. He said if I don’t meet up with you at the pond I know you never made another year. I would in turn joke with him about the same. We would give each other a big hug. Funny we never meet at the pond this past August and I wondered if things had changed for him. Len was an extraordinary man with a big heart — Heaven gained a hero this week for sure. Hugs
Betty, Michele and Joanne , I am so sorry to hear of Len’s passing. One of my best memories growing up on Brazil Street with you guys was enjoying Len and Betty’s yummy toffee apples. at Halloween! Thinking of you all at this very sad and difficult time.
Carol Anne (Breen) Mercer, Waterloo ON
Sylvie and i are so saddened to hear of Len’s passing…I have great memories of his countless jokes told with his great sense of humor!..He could crack em off one after the other, and have ya laughing in stitches!..We didn’t get the chance to see him very often living in Ottawa., but anytime we did was always a good time ,with a great laugh!..God bless his soul…
Sincere condolences to Betty and family on Leonard’s passing .Len was a faithful lifetime parishioner of St. Thomas’ church. We always enjoyed his stories about the Regatta and growing up in the East End .of St. John’s.
May God Bless you as you celebrate Leonard’s life .
Jeanette & Peter Harvey .
Sincere condolences to the Howell family on the passing of Leonard. A sincere and gentle man whom I knew in the Cardiac Rehab Program.
Blessings
Kathleen (Kay) Scott
Michelle, Chris and family thinking of you all. So very sorry for your loss.
We want to send our condolences from Florida to the Holwell family at this very difficult time.
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Betty and family…..so sorry to hear of Len’s passing, please accept our deepest sympathy at this difficult time.
Our deepest sympathy to Betty and family on Lens passing.
Len and Gerrys father, Patrick O’Rielly were col-workers, fishing buddies and friends for years.
Rest In Peace Len
Maureen & Gerard O’Rielly
My deepest condolences to the family on Len’s passing.
I am an employee of The Village Shopping Centre. I have coffeed with Len, Doug and the boys many times. He was a queer hand for sure, and will be greatly missed by all.
God bless you all.
My condolences to Len’s family and friends, I remember him from the children rehab, was a very kind and sweet man .
I was saddened to hear of Len’s passing. And wish to send my sincere condolence to Betty, Michele and Joanne and the rest.of the family. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Madeline and family
Betty my deepest sympathy to you and family. Len was a kind and caring man to everyone. My prayers .
Michele, Joanne & Betty…..so sad to have this news – sincere condolences to you all.. he is reunited with his brother Alf (our uncle) I’m sure they are upstairs tormenting someone and getting a laugh. Fly with the Angels Len.
Deepest sympathy to Lens family, I have wonderful memories of working with him at the old Childrens Rehab, he was so kind and caring to all the kids there, a true gentleman
A fine gentleman and a good member of the BIS.
Rest in peace.
Betty and family,
So saddened to hear of Len’s passing.
He was such a gentle man, and was a friend to me.
From all thee members of the Newfoundland Cardiac Rehabilitation Association, we send our sincere condolences.
Rest In Peace my friend.
I have very fond memories of Leo from the Rehab center. He was a great addition to the staff and loved the kids.
Debbie Morgan