Michael Hanson Holmes died on October 17 at Kindred Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. There will be no funeral at this time to give the family a chance to mourn and remember Michael for the loving goofball that he was.

Michael was born on October 4, 1954 to Clyde and Pauline Holmes in Belfast, Maine. He went to Belfast High School and graduated in 1974. With the city in his sights and dreams of a fabulous life, Michael took off for Boston where he lived for a time and worked at the Ritz.

Missing his family and the smell of the Belfast coast, he returned home. He got a job at the Samoset resort, starting off as a host for the restaurant and slowly moving up the ranks until he reached the position of event coordinator. From there Michael moved on to the American Red Cross and Point Lookout doing a similar job.

To say Michael loved antiques is an understatement. He never missed an opportunity to hit up a yard sale. Michael was easy to make friends wherever he went and the flea market was no exception. He soon made visits to the flea market on a regular basis, always dragging his daughter in tow. Grudgingly she went, but he always softened the blow with a promise of letting her pick out something special to take home.

One of Michael’s best qualities was always greeting everyone with a smile and a fond hello. He was the type of person to not only ask how you were but was truly interested in your life. Michael had a way of always making everyone laugh even if it was at his own expense.

He retired in St. Petersburg, Florida where he lived his last years soaking up the sun and enjoying the company of new friends, his landlords Janice and Allan, and their dogs.

Even though Michael lived hundreds of miles away, he never missed a day to send his daughter a message every morning to wish her a wonderful day, customarily signing the text with “Love you! Papa” as if she didn’t already know who it was.

Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Pauline Holmes; aunt Avis Howells; stepson Stanley Carlson.

He is survived by his daughter, Abigail Holmes her partner Leif Grundstrom-Whitney; his sister, Candice Sigerson, and brother, Clyde Holmes, sister-in-law Mena Holmes; ex wife, Claire Roberts her husband Rit Roberts; stepdaughter, Denise Morris her husband Robert Morris, step granddaughter, Jenna Carlson her son Alden Wakem, step grandsons, Owen and Noah Carlson; stepdaughter, Tori Lowe her husband Elliot Lowe, step grandsons Otis and Max Lowe.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you give extra hugs to your loved ones and remember cheerful memories of Michael.