ROCKLAND — Linwood T. ‘Inky’ Holmes, 75, died peacefully, Sunday, August 27, 2023 at Bayview Manor in Searsport.

Born in Rockland, April 15, 1948, he was the son of David K. Holmes and Ruth Townsend Carleton. Born early, he was the first baby born at Knox Hospital to be blessed with the technological advances of an incubator, and hence became known to all his family and friends as ‘Inky’. He was educated locally, but moved to New Hampshire during his senior year where he graduated from Somersworth High School.

Following graduation, Inky began his career as a commercial fisherman, working on several different boats out of Rockland, mostly fishing for National Sea Products. He followed the call of the ocean from the late 1970’s well into the 1980’s until an injury forced him to stop.

Inky’s proudest accomplishment in life was when he made the step to sobriety. For over 30 years he has been an active member of the AA community. He has committed his life to helping others, sponsoring many people and he rarely missed a meeting.

An accomplished photographer, he took many beautiful shots that he gifted to his friends and family. He was an avid recreational fisherman, catching trophy fish often. He was a good-hearted soul who loved his family and will be sadly missed by all who loved him.

Predeceased by his mother and step-father, Ruth Janet Townsend Carleton and Stanley Carleton, Sr., his father and step-mother, David K. Holmes, Sr. and Marion Holmes; Linwood is survived by 15 siblings including, Pam Leach of Rockland, Stanley ‘Buddy’ Carleton, Jr. and his wife Lisa Nash Carleton of Owl Head and Gary R. Carleton and his wife Lisa of Rockport; as well as his brothers Tony Holmes and his wife Dottie of Keene, New Hampshire, David Holmes, Jr. and his wife Jeanne of Derbyline, Vermont, Gary Holmes and his partner Wanda Polchies, John Holmes and his wife Wanda all of Rochester, New Hampshire; his sisters Patricia Anderson of Florida, Deborah Plante and her fiancé Carl Chasse of Sanford, Maine, Denise Lussier and her husband Paul of Northwood, New Hampshire, Bonita Lemay and her husband Norman of Pennsylvania, Mary Hammond and her husband Brian of Minnesota, Tina Holmes and her husband Bill Northey of Dover, New Hampshire, Tammy Holmes of Florida, Kelly Holmes and her fiancé Carl Langley of North Carolina; many nieces and nephews, including those who live locally, Tiffany Monroe, Eli Carleton, Bryan Carleton, Brandon Carleton, Brianna Carleton and Joseph Powers; as well as a large extended family.

Family and friends are invited to visit Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street Rockland, where a celebration of his life will be held Friday, September 15, 2023, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pope Memorial Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, Maine 04841.

To share a memory or condolence with Linwood’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.