April 15, 2017

In Memoriam: Gordon H. Holmes ’61; his shot put PC basketball ‘on the map’

Gordon H. “Gordie” Holmes ’61, the reserve player whose half-court basket in overtime against Notre Dame in 1956 helped launch PC to national prominence in basketball, died after a short illness on Jan. 13, 2017, in California, where he lived.

Gordon H. Holmes '61
Gordon H. Holmes ’61

Mr. Holmes played for the Friars during the 1955-56 and 1956-57 seasons, playing in 26 games. It was during his first season that he made not only a name for himself but also for PC basketball. On Feb. 14, 1956, late in the first season of both Alumni Hall and Joe Mullaney’s Friar coaching career, Mr. Holmes was inserted into the lineup after most of PC’s starters had fouled out in a home contest against national power Notre Dame.

With 3,000 fans roaring in excitement and just seconds left in overtime of a tie game, Mr. Holmes heaved a 45-foot, desperation shot that went in the basket and gave the Friars an 85-83 victory. That 1955-56 campaign was the first of 12 consecutive winning seasons for the Friars, who went on to capture the NIT Championship in 1961 and 1963.

At PC, Mr. Holmes was an education major with a specialty in social studies. He attained a master’s degree from Pepperdine University in 1974. He taught and coached for 35 years, retiring from the Huntington Beach (Calif.) School Department.

A resident of Wildomar, Calif., Mr. Holmes took up woodworking following his teaching retirement and became a master craftsman. He co-founded Maureen’s Gourmet, a company that sells and distributes specialty pepper jams throughout the United States, in 2007.

Family and friends considered him a kind and non-judgmental man who smiled easily and was a mentor and role model to many. Besides his passion for sports and teaching, he loved to travel, particularly to Aruba, where he vacationed frequently over the course of 25 years.

Mr. Holmes was born in Providence and grew up primarily in Central Falls and Lincoln, attending Pawtucket West High School.

He is survived by his wife, Maureen Wayland Holmes; two daughters, Audrey and Kristen; a son, Kerry; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service for Mr. Holmes was held on Jan. 27 at St. Martha Catholic Church in Murrieta, Calif.