David A. Holtz

David A. Holtz, 77 of Fitchburg passed on June 12, 2025 in Leominster after

a brief illness. Born March 8, 1948 in Fitchburg he is survived by his

sister Vickie Holtz of Fitchburg and his daughter Krissy Holtz of Hampton,

NH.

Dave lived a life of love: of friends, of the earth & nature, of plants &

landscaping, of skiing both on snow and water, of his Saint Bernard dogs,

and of music especially the Grateful Dead.

A graduate of Fitchburg High School Class of 1966, Dave held jobs at both

Super Save supermarket and then Howdy Hamburgers where each year for the 4th

of July Parade he would dress up as Howdy Doody to entertain children.

He was proud of his veteran status and to have served his country while

stationed in Vietnam with the United States Army where he was awarded a

Bronze Star. After his discharge he worked for years as the head of the

Lunenburg community cemetery department where he enjoyed his work creating a

space of beauty in nature honoring those who had been laid to their final

rest.

Dave was always generous in sharing whatever he had, especially his bent for

fun. For years he put on "pig roasts", towing his custom made bbq smoker

behind  his Chevy Suburban.  Standing tall at the smoker with his long red

hair  and  beard, there'd always be a sip of Budweiser for him and a douse of

same for flavoring the meat.

When he switched to Camry Wagons, he could be seen with his lawnmower, leaf

blower & hedge trimmers hanging out the tailgate on his way to care for

friends and customers. He was known to occasionally pop into a strangers

yard to pick flowers for a loved one....followed by the Lunenburg PD

reminding him that he can't do that, even if "they aren't doing anything

with them!"

Throughout the 1970's & 1980's "Holtzie", as he was affectionately known to

all his many friends, worked security for concerts throughout New England.

Being tall and seemingly ominous looking (but in reality a staunch

pacifist), he'd often get positioned back stage, where he'd seat his

daughter Krissy telling her "stay put". This led to him being a driver for

both Phil Lesh and Jerry Garcia which became a cherished lifetime experience

and memory of his, and allowed him to get up close and personal with many of

the musicians and bands that played the soundtrack to his life.

Later in life, the "off the grid" landscaper developed a love of sailing and

the islands, spending some of his happiest times in Jamaica and in the

Virgin Islands with friends at places like Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke, or the

Soggy Dollar Bar where he'd joyfully engage all he met while soaking in the

island rythms of steel drum reggae music.

The Dead sang "sometime we live no particular way but our own" and Holtzie

personified that. He was an unforgettable character with a big heart and a

fuzzy exterior who lived a life of character, equally happy to lend a

helping hand and play with those whom he loved, and in the process left an

indelible mark on all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held on July 17 at 2pm at Massachusetts Veterans

Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St, Winchendon, MA 01475

Celebration of life to follow at the Lakeview Club, 449 Whalom Rd,

Lunenburg, MA 01462