Home Obituaries Robert E. Holley, 84

Robert E. Holley, 84

Robert Emmett (“Bob”) Holley, of New York City and Greenport and Vero Beach, Florida, died peacefully in Westhampton Beach on December 1, 2016.

Born in Manhattan in 1932, he was the son of Robert A. and Eleanor M. Holley. He was a lifelong New Yorker. He graduated from St. Peter’s High School, Staten Island and Fordham University with a B.S. in accounting in 1954. He served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in the mid 1950s.

Holley worked as a municipal bond trader at Merrill Lynch. At Paine Webber, he invented the concept of the Unit Investment Trust, creating and heading that department. He served on the board of the Investment Company Institute, eventually becoming its chairman.  Quietly philanthropic, he was active in the Kips Bay Boys Club, the New York City Police Department’s Emerald Society, and numerous other charities.

He was married to the late Barbara Collins, the genuine love of his life, for 46 years. Together, they went on frequent, miles-long walks all over Manhattan. They enjoyed their boat, the “My Way”. Their dogs, General Maxwell Taylor, Mindy and Samantha, were their hearts’ delight.

Holley will be best remembered for his unending spirit of generosity, his family said in a statement. He never missed an opportunity to do a kindness. He was a great listener and was blessed with the gift of storytelling. He loved books and was always eager to share his reading enthusiasms. In addition to his wife, family and friends, he loved British television detective series, ’21’ and Le Cirque, the NYPD, tennis, Dixieland jazz, The Royal Tattoo, the voice of Maria Callas, and chocolate ice cream. 

He is survived by four nieces, a nephew, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 10 at St. Agnes Church in Greenport, NY, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to: 

NYC PBA Widows and Children’s Fund
Attn: Joseph Alejandro
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association
125 Broad Street-11th Floor
New York, NY 10004 or

East End Hospice: www.eeh.org/ways-to-give/donate/?tab=Dedication

DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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