Rory Patrick Holmes

Holmes, Rory Patrick of Quincy, MA, formerly of Braintree, MA

March 28, 2001 - February 13, 2025

After a long struggle with mental and physical health challenges, Rory passed away on February 13, 2025. 

Rory is survived by his parents, Charles and Andrea Holmes; his sister, Katherine Kelley, her husband, Danny and niece, Indiana, of Norwood, MA; his brother, John (Jake) Pugsley of Quincy, MA; his brother, Shane Holmes and his fiancé Finn Craven of Randolph, MA; his many aunts and uncles, including Helen and Kenneth Shruhan of Braintree, MA; Laura Holmes of Bellingham, MA; John and Mary Holmes of Norwood, MA; Brian and Michelle Holmes of Stoughton, MA; Kellie and Bob Camelio of Arlington, MA; Carol Holahan of Mashpee, MA. Rory leaves behind many dear cousins and friends. He is predeceased by his grandparents: Dermot and Josephine Holmes; Georgea T. Griffin; and Arthur and Harriet Pugsley.

While anyone who met Rory will always remember his beautiful smile and infectious laugh, many did not know that Rory had struggled for many years with mental and physical health challenges. Rory struggled with ADD, anxiety, depression, and AMPS (Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome). Rory developed AMPS or Juvenile Fibromyalgia in high school after having strep and mononucleosis at the same time. AMPS is a chronic pain condition that causes intense, persistent, and widespread pain in the muscles, bones, and joints. There is no cure. Daily strenuous exercise was required to “teach” the muscles to work through the pain and desensitize the body. Rory pushed through a grueling workout every day to try to manage his condition. Rory also worked tirelessly on his mental health, which greatly impacted his physical ailments.

Despite these severe but invisible challenges, Rory persevered in school and at work. Rory received an excellent education at Braintree Schools and had many teachers he loved and admired. During his teens, Rory loved being an archery instructor at Thayer Academy each summer while working with his sister, Kat. Rory worked at CVS during COVID which, in itself, was a challenge working with the public during such a stressful time in the world.

In January 2022, Rory began training to become an MBTA Green Line Trolley Operator. Rory was a proud member of the Local 589 Union. Rory loved his Green Line family. Rory often told us how lucky he felt to be treated like a son, a brother, or a friend by his Green Line family. Rory’s Green Line “Mamas” would often bring food from home for Rory to enjoy. Rory was an introvert unless he got to know you and people did not always know what to make of him. Some thought he was young, but others thought he was married, with kids and a house – which amused him to no end. Rory was both young and very mature. From birth, he was unusually empathetic and loving. He was generous with his time, resources, and love. He was an old soul. He was a voracious reader and intellectually curious. He had a great, quick wit. He accepted people regardless of their race, color, creed, orientation, or religious beliefs.

 In so few years, Rory packed in a lifetime of love and experiences. Rory enjoyed fishing, building Legos as a child, video games, YouTube, Manga, drawing, swimming, listening to music, and skateboarding with his brother, Shane. He enjoyed taking walks at Pond Meadow, Castle Island and Nantasket Beach, as well as spending time with family and friends, especially during the holidays. 

Rory especially loved spending every summer at our family cottage at Swift’s Beach in Wareham. Rory was the first one in the water in the morning and the last one out in the evening. He loved swimming but the summer sun did not love him. If not in the water, Rory was wrapped head to toe in towels and under an umbrella to protect his skin. His sister, Kat, called him “Pale Squid” for his love of water and complexion. Only Rory could manage to get sunburned while INSIDE the trolley he was operating. And, yes, to the hundreds who had asked him, he wore sunscreen every day. Rory loved exploring the secret spot at the beach with his siblings, kayaking to the third island, endless barbecues, laughter-filled game nights, trips to the Go Bananas Army Navy store, and nightly fires where the “story stick” would be passed amongst us as we traded stories. 

Rory had a voracious appetite for delicious food, especially sweets. Rory enjoyed travelling to Florida, D.C., up and down the East Coast, Ireland, Alaska, Kauai, and Oahu. Rory was immensely proud of his Irish heritage. When his sister Kat was studying abroad, we visited her in Ireland. We enjoyed exploring castles, driving through the countryside, and visiting family. In true Irish fashion, Rory experienced his first Guinness as a middle-schooler. 

While Rory’s older brother, Jake, was living in Alaska, our family visited. We had great fun camping out and hiking in the mountains. We also got to experience Alaskan wildlife on a trip to Denali National Park.

In December of 2017, our family celebrated Kat and Danny’s wedding in Kauai, Hawaii. We enjoyed a luau, ATV excursions, tubing, snorkeling and a private plane tour of the island with his brother, Jake, copiloting the plane. We also visited Pearl Harbor.

Upon becoming an MBTA operator, older brother Jake invited Rory to become his roommate. Rory moved in and thus began the Oscar Madison and Felix Unger “Odd Couple” phase of their relationship. Jake is the neat nick and Rory was not. Our family had many great laughs as they recounted episodes of daily life together. 

Jake would also drag a reluctant Rory to gatherings with friends. Rory enjoyed many great times with his brother’s friends. Jake and his friends took Rory out to Encore for dinner, drinks, and clubbing on his 21st birthday. As Jake’s roommate, Rory got to experience life as an independent, young adult.

Rory treasured his time with all his siblings and Shane’s fiancé, Finn.

While Rory and his brother Shane were close in age, they were vastly different in temperament. Rory was quiet and easy going. Shane was outgoing and boisterous. But together they were a great duo. They enjoyed skateboarding, building, and playing video games. Together, they spent many days exploring Pond Meadow with their Dad while calling each other “Hawk” and “Peck.” Long, lazy summer days were spent on the beach hunting for crabs, capturing minnows and building sandcastles. A favorite childhood memory of both boys was their bedtime ritual. Mom or Dad would read many bedtime stories as the boys settled. Then Mom would leave, and Dad would take over as the master storyteller. Dad was inspired by history, true life events, mythology, and adventure. Rory and Shane were probably the only young boys in Braintree falling asleep to tales of Archimedes, the Pyramids, treasure hunts, and other adventures. This sparked Rory’s lifelong curiosity, love of science, literature, and nature.

Remember Rory’s smile and his infectious laugh.

Remember that not all struggles are visible. 

Remember to be kind, happy, and loving.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Wednesday 2/26/2025 from 12-2 PM &4-7PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday 2/27/2025 at Our Lady Queen of Peace (Sacred Heart Church), 72 Washington St, Weymouth at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Rory Patrick Holmes Memorial Fund. This fund has been established, and all donations will be used to recognize and aid teens and young adults who persevere in the face of physical and mental challenges. 

Checks should be addressed as follows:

• Rory Patrick Holmes Memorial Fund and mailed to:

 Rory Patrick Holmes Memorial Fund , C/O The Holmes Family,  27 Perry Road ,Braintree, MA 02184

 An alternative way to honor Rory is to donate to Smile Train. Smile Train is a nonprofit organization providing corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.

Rory’s entire family thanks everyone for the immense outpouring of love and support provided to them during this tragic time.

 Rest in Peace, Rory.