Thomas L. Holmes Sr., 73 of East Granby, CT, quietly transitioned from this life on earth to the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, July 19, 2024. The husband of the late Alberta Killiebrew-Holmes, he was born in Bridgeton, NJ on January 14, 1951, to the late Nathaniel Holmes Sr. and the late Marie Lane Holmes. He was the third oldest of seven children.

Thomas was educated in the Seabrook School system. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1968. He served in Vietnam and was wounded in combat. After healing from his wounds, he received an Honorable discharge in 1974. Thomas returned to Seabrook, NJ for a short time then migrated to Connecticut. After moving to Connecticut, he married the love of his life, Alberta Killiebrew. Thomas worked as an Office Manager and Maintenance at a housing complex. He had several jobs during his lifetime. On August 18, 2023, he received the National Defense Service Medal and Rifle Marks Man Badge. Thomas was full of life, telling jokes and loved to make everyone laugh.

He leaves to cherish his memory one son, Thomas Holmes Jr. (Diana) of PA; one bonus son, Jackie Killiebrew; two bonus daughters, Karen and Kecia Killiebrew of CT; one granddaughter, Nevaeh Holmes of PA and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren in CT; brothers, Nathaniel Holmes Sr. (Shirley) of Bridgeton, NJ, Aaron Holmes of Millville, NJ; three sisters, Susan Thompson and Grace Forman (Bruce) both of Millville, NJ, Coralene Diaz Marquez (Frank) of Vineland, NJ; three sisters-in-law, Betty A. Jackson and Lenora Smith both of CT and Willa M. Wharton of Bridgeton, NJ; brother-in-law, Raymond Wharton of Bridgeton, NJ and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Nathaniel Holmes Sr. and Marie L. Holmes, his loving wife Alberta K. Holmes, sister Annie M. Randolph, nieces Vanessa Scurry, Gwen Randolph and Debra Jackson, sister-in-law Ida Killebrew, brothers-in-law Thomas "Denny" Killebrew, Willie Thompson and Richard Smith Sr.