1937
Macdonald
2023
Macdonald John Holmes
March 9, 1937 — August 30, 2023
Cobleskill - MacDonald John Holmes, 86, of Little York Road, Cobleskill, New York, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on March 9, 1937, in his family’s home located in Lawyersville, NY. He was the son of Donald F. and Ruth (McMenemy) Holmes and was a lifelong resident of the Cobleskill area.
He received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell Veterinary Medical College in 1961.
Dr. Holmes practiced veterinary medicine and surgery at the Cobleskill Veterinary Clinic for 27 years. In 1961, he built the Cobleskill Veterinary Clinic with his uncle, Dr. John Holmes, and established a very successful business with his partners Dr. Vince Castellano, DVM and Dr. Vern Durie, VMD serving Schoharie County and surrounding areas. His passion for large animal medicine and care for small animals continued to 1988, prior to his selection as the Dean of Agriculture at SUNY Cobleskill. In 1997 Dr. Holmes was hired as Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Cobleskill following a National Search. He was truly fortunate and humbled to have had two rewarding careers, one in Veterinary Medicine and one in academia where he furthered the fields of agriculture and education.
Throughout his life, Mac served on numerous community and professional organizations. He was a member of the NYS Veterinary Medical Society, where he served as the President and Executive Board Member. He served 10 years on the Board of Examiners for the NYS Board for Veterinary Medical Society. He volunteered at Cornell University serving as a member and Chair of the NYS College of Veterinary Medicine College Council. Additional service to his community included the following: Cobleskill School Board Member and President for 10 years; Board Member and President for Community Hospital of Schoharie County; Board Member and President of merged hospitals (Schoharie County/Bassett); a 50-year member of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties; member and President of the Cobleskill Exchange Club; longtime member of the Lawyersville Reformed Church.
He had a wonderful and loving marriage to his wife, Sherry Huntley Holmes, for over 61 years.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Sherry Holmes; sons, Christopher (Audra) Holmes of Chino, CA, Kirk (Kimberly) Holmes of Albany, NY, and his loving grandchildren. He also has 3 surviving brothers, David F. (Barbara) Holmes, Edward H. (Pamela) Holmes and Floyd M. (Linda) Holmes.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 14th, at 1:00 PM at the Lawyersville Reformed Church with Pastor Paul Ferenzy officiating. A reception for friends and family will be held after the service in the Lawyersville Fellowship Hall. Donations can be made to the Lawyersville Reformed Church in the name of Dr. MacDonald J. Holmes, DVM. Checks can be provided to the church in person or mailed to: Lawyersville Reformed Church, PO Box 421, Cobleskill, NY 12043.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill, NY.
He was born on March 9, 1937, in his family’s home located in Lawyersville, NY. He was the son of Donald F. and Ruth (McMenemy) Holmes and was a lifelong resident of the Cobleskill area.
He received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell Veterinary Medical College in 1961.
Dr. Holmes practiced veterinary medicine and surgery at the Cobleskill Veterinary Clinic for 27 years. In 1961, he built the Cobleskill Veterinary Clinic with his uncle, Dr. John Holmes, and established a very successful business with his partners Dr. Vince Castellano, DVM and Dr. Vern Durie, VMD serving Schoharie County and surrounding areas. His passion for large animal medicine and care for small animals continued to 1988, prior to his selection as the Dean of Agriculture at SUNY Cobleskill. In 1997 Dr. Holmes was hired as Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Cobleskill following a National Search. He was truly fortunate and humbled to have had two rewarding careers, one in Veterinary Medicine and one in academia where he furthered the fields of agriculture and education.
Throughout his life, Mac served on numerous community and professional organizations. He was a member of the NYS Veterinary Medical Society, where he served as the President and Executive Board Member. He served 10 years on the Board of Examiners for the NYS Board for Veterinary Medical Society. He volunteered at Cornell University serving as a member and Chair of the NYS College of Veterinary Medicine College Council. Additional service to his community included the following: Cobleskill School Board Member and President for 10 years; Board Member and President for Community Hospital of Schoharie County; Board Member and President of merged hospitals (Schoharie County/Bassett); a 50-year member of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties; member and President of the Cobleskill Exchange Club; longtime member of the Lawyersville Reformed Church.
He had a wonderful and loving marriage to his wife, Sherry Huntley Holmes, for over 61 years.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Sherry Holmes; sons, Christopher (Audra) Holmes of Chino, CA, Kirk (Kimberly) Holmes of Albany, NY, and his loving grandchildren. He also has 3 surviving brothers, David F. (Barbara) Holmes, Edward H. (Pamela) Holmes and Floyd M. (Linda) Holmes.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 14th, at 1:00 PM at the Lawyersville Reformed Church with Pastor Paul Ferenzy officiating. A reception for friends and family will be held after the service in the Lawyersville Fellowship Hall. Donations can be made to the Lawyersville Reformed Church in the name of Dr. MacDonald J. Holmes, DVM. Checks can be provided to the church in person or mailed to: Lawyersville Reformed Church, PO Box 421, Cobleskill, NY 12043.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill, NY.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Macdonald John Holmes, please visit our flower store.
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