Ernest W. Holmes,

Ernest W. Holmes, Jr. Orange – Ernest W. Holmes, Jr., 81, of 519 East River Street, died Sunday, April 28, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family and friends.      He was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, February 23, 1932, the son of Ernest W. and Myrtle (Coulter)                 Holmes.  Ernie grew up in Lynn, later moving to Beverly in 1960 where he lived for many years, and since 1990 has resided in Orange.        He owned and operated the Allied Transmission Shop in Everett, MA, also was a private pilot holding his certificate as an airplane mechanic and also built experimental airplanes.  He was a member of the EAA Chapter 726.   Ernie enjoyed anything to do with aircrafts, whether it be working on them or flying and the Beverly and Orange airports was always his second home.      He leaves a son, Jeffrey S. Holmes and his wife Nancy of Rochester, NH and a daughter, Lori J. Preisinger and her husband Tim of Beverly; two sisters, Grace Tourtillott  of Peabody and Louise Holmes of FL; six grandchildren, Pamela Dempsey, Tara Mann, Erin Scanlan, Lani Holmes, Heidi Bouchard and Frank Coughlin and six great grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his wife of many years, Norma J. (D’alessandro) Holmes, a son, Ernest W. Holmes III of Sunrise, FL, and a granddaughter, Nadene Logan.      A celebration of Ernie’s life will be held at the Orange Airport, EAA Chapter 726 Building, Orange, MA on May 11, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.   The family suggests those wishing to make a contribution in Ernie’s name be made to the Orange Municipal Airport, 80 Airport Road, Orange, MA 01364. Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol is directing arrangements.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });