Victor Holly III made it fun to come to work. He had a zest for life that was contagious.
Holly also dealt with one of the toughest customers you can possibly face — a form of pancreatic cancer known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. It’s the same disease that eventually took the life of Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple, in 2011.
Holly fought the good fight for 5½ years, but the battle ended on Nov. 12. He was 53.
A computer whiz, Holly worked the past 21 years as a human resources data/web technician. He loved to learn new technology to solve problems with data and equipment.
He could do it all. Hardware, software . . . you name it, Victor was up for the challenge.
He maintained the HR websites and left his mark on virtually every HR project, including Reward & Recognition, HR Procedures, Title IX, Employee Guidelines, Employee Discounts, Employee Diversity Network, CultureFest, Diversity Lectures and the Cultural Arts Series.
“Victor took great pride in providing quality service to his customers,” said Holly’s wife of 21 years, Kandi. “He always had a good time working on the graduation video for child care. He enjoyed the people he worked with — he may have left a mark on them, but they left a mark on him as well.”
But he was so much more than a tech-savvy employee.
An HR colleague, Kris Hammond, said, “Victor’s enthusiasm for life is a secret that deserves to be shared. He helped keep me going so many times when the stress levels got to be too much to carry. He helped me see the way through and find ways to break the job down into manageable parts.”
Carmen Sirizzotti, associate director for HR, said, “Victor had a keen interest in history, genealogy, photography and video. He would always share — with great pride — that his great-great grandfather, Bishop James T. Holly, was the first African-American Protestant Episcopal bishop and spent most of his career in Haiti.
“We truly miss Victor, all the stories he shared with his HR family and his spontaneous, contagious laugh.”
Survivors include: his wife, Kandi; three daughters, Meaghan Boddie-Holly, Racheal (Parker) Holly-Kyle, and Gwen Holly; two grandsons, Isaac Holly-Kyle and Aiden Boddie; one granddaughter, Isabelle Kyle; his parents, Victor Jr. and Brenda Holly; two brothers, Jason and Alan Holly; and a sister, Veronica Holly-Carter.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Holly proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for six years and graduated from Bellevue University. In 1991, while stationed in the Philippines, Holly witnessed and survived the second largest volcanic eruption in the last 200 years when Mt. Pinatubo erupted. He also was a member of the Jefferson Cigar Society.
A memorial service was held for Holly on Nov. 30. If you wish to make a memorial, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
“Victor was a joy to work with and made many contributions to UNMC,” said Aileen Warren, assistant vice chancellor for HR. “He will be missed.”
Victor was fantastic! Infectious and contagious laugh…always positive and upbeat. He was a friend and will be missed.
I'm really sorry to hear this. Victor was so nice and always so helpful when we had problems. He will be missed!
So sorry to hear this. My condolences to his family.
One of my first co-workers when I came to UNMC HR in 2005. Wonderful man, funny and always with a smile. RIP Victor. My condolences to his family.
I admired Victor for his incredible strength of character and faith. I will continue to be inspired by his actions, the things he said, his knowledge and all the stories he shared. I will miss hearing him before seeing him and all of the computer help he provided. Rest in peace my friend!
Thank you for this tribute to my son. When a child leaves home, and decides to life elsewhere, you can only pray that they are doing well with the training that you have given them. From those that I met at his memorial, and after reading this, he far exceeded any expectations for success that his mother and I could have ever expected. The greatest tribute that any parent can have is the knowledge that their child has become a good person. I was humbled to hear of the lives he touched, just being himself. Obviously, he left a mark at UNMC. So thank you for welcoming him in to your community and embracing him. Kandi, and Gwen with your love. Victor E Holly, Jr
I could not say enough good about Victor, what an incredible individual! My love and prayers to all who have been touched in life by Victor. My deepest sympathy and prayers for peace for all. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
Rest in Paradise, Victor. I'm grateful to have known you.
I am his sister and so moved by his loss but so proud of him. His impact outweighs his years.
Veronica Holly Cater. MS
I will forever miss our in-depth conversations we had at my desk, and whenever I had a tough day, or trouble with anyone how he would tell me cheer me up and tell me not to worry that he "knew people". He could always make me smile. You will definitely be missed my dear friend, but the memories you have left behind will be lasting.
An amazing individual, it wad always good to run into him on campus. Rest in Paradise my brother.