John Day Holbrook

John Day Holbrook of Bethel, proud husband of Lynn (Scott) Holbrook, passed away at the age 81, Monday July 12, 2021 at Danbury Hospital. He lived a big BIG life.  We know this for certain.

Born January 30,1940 in Hackensack, NJ, he was the youngest of the five children of the late Rev. Joseph Carlton and Eleanor (Day) Holbrook.  He attended Westwood High school, The Stoney Brook School, and Brown University. He began his career with Proctor & Gamble but his entrepreneurial spirit led him to start  Marketing Action Group and American Family Crafts, both in Danbury Connecticut. Later, he pursued a life long passion and opened Holbrook Farm in Bethel Connecticut, a premier organic farm and market.  He served Bethel on the town Zoning Commission, helped get the Francis J. Clarke Business Park established, he even attempted a bid at First Selectman.  He helped coach Bethel soccer teams to state championships and was a founding member of the Walnut Hill Community Church.  He helped the Cambodian New Life Church and Jericho Center in Danbury get established by selling them his old factory building for one dollar. He and Lynn spent much of their time and resources supporting, visiting and praying for their dear friends, especially those serving God all over the world.

It also MIGHT be true that he worked a deal with Jimmy Hoffa to break a truckers strike, brought a live tiger to a charity fund raising event, was a passenger on a high-jacked commercial airplane, and lettered in 3 different sports at Brown, one being soccer- a sport he had never played before his first game. He might possess “priceless” art and furniture, have secret recipes for soup or salad dressing, understand natural remedies for bug bites, arthritis, allergies or bad breath. He was resilient, innovative, curious and kind and he will be greatly missed.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Mr. Holbrook is survived by his children; Amy Nichols and her husband Rev. John Nichols, Stephen Joseph Holbrook and Rev. Andrew Scott Holbrook and his wife Lauren; his sister Mary and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Stony Brook School, One Chapman Parkway, Stony Brook, NY 11790 or to SIM USA, P.O. Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241.

A Memorial Service will be held at The Walnut Hill Community Church, Bethel, CT Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 11:00 AM. A reception to celebrate his life will be held immediately following at the church.

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