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Stephen Ehrhard Holzel of Bloomfield, formerly of Montclair, died peacefully in his home on Nov. 26, 2021, with his wife of 53 years, Patricia, by his side. He was 79. Mr. Holzel was born in war-torn Berlin, Germany, in 1942 to Ehrhard Holzel of Berlin and Margaret “Gretchen” Martin of Montclair. His father died in 1943, and his mother moved to Bergan, Rügan, on the Baltic Sea, to escape the ever-increasing bombing of Berlin. She and her two young sons, Steve and Tom, returned to Berlin at war’s end and fled to America in May 1946, to live with their maternal grandmother in Montclair, where they grew up. Mr. Holzel graduated from Montclair High School in 1960 and then Upsala College, and soon began working for TechnoPulp, a forestry consulting firm in Upper Montclair. Given a free hand at this entrepreneurial company, and with his business acumen, he soon gravitated to buying, improving and then selling large apartment buildings all over the United States. He had a lifelong case of horizon fever, traveling to many far-off places. Among other adventures, he lived for a while in Australia, traveled on a cargo ship, drove a motorcycle from Cape Town to Cairo, and had many solo canoeing adventures up and down the East Coast, as well as Outward Bound trips. He traveled all over the United States with his wife and soul mate, Patricia Smith of Montclair, whom he married in 1968. They lived in Bloomfield for the past 47 years. Mr. Holzel was a 5.0 tennis player (highest rank: 7.0), great poker player, and loved going to the YMCA. He took very good care of his mother and stayed close with his extended family members and many friends. He was an exceptionally thoughtful man, known for his positive attitude and random acts of kindness. If you found a silver dollar in your shoe, you knew who put it there. Mr. Holzel is survived by his loving wife, Pat; his brother, Thomas (Dianne), of Litchfield, Connecticut, and nieces and nephew, Peter Holzel, Maggie Lange, Elise Smith and their children. There will be a celebration of his life in the spring of 2022.
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John Pace
So sad R.I.P StephenElaine Johnson (Fiveland)
RIP, Steve. His battle with Parkinson's is over. Our sympathy goes out to Pat who so enjoyed working with our reunion committee to plan our 50th although she was a College High grad, but she accompanied Steve to all our meetings. Steve was a man of many adventures and loved his life and his friends. He will be missed.
Ron Owens
Steve was an active and enthusiastic participant in planning our 50th Reunion. He shall truly be missed.
Arlene Helfrich (Teck)
Grange Rutan let me know of Steve's passing via our Facebook connection. Sad news 😢. I remember Steve participating at our reunion planning meetings, with Pat at his side, warm memories. He shall certainly be missed. My condolences to Pat and to the rest of his family.
Eric Davidson
Steve and family,
As the years pass by, we hold on to the memories created with our interactions. Our impressions are formed by the character of the individual. Steve had a magical smile and attitude that embraced us with his friendship and humor. He was a dedicated man and his perseverance enveloped those who connected to him.
Barbara Hesterfer (Reidinger)
So sorry to hear of Steve's passing.. I lived out of state most of the past 50+ yrs, but I can remember when my family and I lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I ran into Steve in a shopping mall..Could not believe he recognized me called out to me asking if I was an MHS grad. He apparently was in town to check on some apartments there.. Saw him again at our 20 yr h.s. reunion .. he has had quite an interesting life with so much travel and activity.. May he rest in peace
Barb (Hesterfer) Reidinger
MHS-Class of '61
Chris Weimar
To Pat and all of Steve's friends here. I remember Steve well from high school and attended graduate school with his lovely wife Pat. Now and then throughout the years Steve and I would cross paths and he was a very bubbly, upbeat guy. One of the things that bother me about Facebook or this site is you would think none of has aged a bit or has any dibilitating illnesses. Sometimes I think I am the only one who has health issues but no one ever wants to mention anything in one of these forums. Then one a day an "In Memory Annoucement " shows up like a bolt out of the blue. So sad. If I knew someone had problems or could use some help or a Big HELLO I would be grateful for the opportunity to try help an old friend or acquantance.
Steve was one of those people everyone was glad to know. Full of life and many accomplishments. When I get to the other side I know Steve will be there with a Big Smile and a warm greeting for an old friend.
Chris Weimar
Barry Abell (Dunbar Abell)
So sorry to hear about Stephen. He always had a smile for everyone.
Carol Twiner (Cameron)
I was happy to get to know Steve while working with him and Pat on our 50th MHS Reunion Committee. Always positive and supportive of everyone; wish I had known him better in HS. My sincere condolences to Pat and his family. Carol Cameron