Obituary of Michael James Holmes

Michael James Holmes AGE: 60 • Michael James Holmes, son of the late James and June Jordan Holmes of Morris Plains, passed away at sunset on September 6, 2015 after a sudden illness in Las Vegas, Nevada with loved ones at his side. Although separated by many miles, he maintained a close relationship with his family and friends who will miss him very much. Michael graduated from Bayley Ellard High School where he was a smart, talented member of the Drama Club. Theater was his first love and he remained active locally. He moved to Boston and Los Angeles, began a costume company, married briefly and returned home to Morris Plains where he focused on handcrafted art, collectibles, memorabilia and antiques. Michael relocated to Las Vegas two years ago and his career showed promise with TV shows, pilots, commercials and movie auditions. He was moving to Los Angeles in a few months to follow his dream as a character actor. Michael is survived by his sisters, Bonnie (Douglas) Corriston of Newton, Patricia (Louis) Mondello of El Paso, Beth (Walt) Sturrock of Netcong, Tracy (Ernie) Hofer of Florham Park; cousins, Diane Kojak of Philadelphia, Daryl (Kate), Denise and Dawn Kojak of New York City, Kim (Tom) Wasko of Freehold; nieces and nephews, Jordan (Shannon) Alec and David Mondello, Sean and Emily Sturrock, Amanda and Christopher Hofer, Aidan Sharpe; maternal aunt, Dolores Kojak of Succasunna, and paternal family, Diana Holmes of Brooksville, Florida, Clifford and Nancy Holmes, Ruth Ann Russell of Toms River and their families. A joint memorial service of happy reminiscences will be held for Michael together with his beloved cousin, Betty Jane Prudden, on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison, NJ from 2-4PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center at www.sthuberts.org.