Donald Holcomb Otis

06/09/2001

Donald M. Holcomb, 60, of 70 Leonard Road died Saturday at home. Born in Springfield on March 4, 1941, son of George and Virginia Marsh Holcomb, he was a 1959 graduate of Westfield High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Brigham Young University in 1963 and a master's degree in social work from the University of California at Berkeley in 1967. He also earned a master's degree from Andover-Newton Theological School this year. From 1968 until 1988, he was employed as a clinical social worker for various centers, including Westfield Area Child Guidance Center, the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kan., and the Institute of Living in Hartford, Conn. He had also been a psychotherapist in private practice in Westfield and Otis since 1980. Mr. Holcomb was a member of the United Church of Christ Board for World Ministries for 10 years and was president for the past six years. He was an intern pastor at North Hadley Congregational Church from 1998 to 1999. An advocate for the World Wide Peace and Justice group, he traveled to many countries, including Central and South Americas, the Middle East and Africa, from 1986 to 1999. He leaves his wife of 39 years, the former Merrilyn Chapin; two sons, David Holcomb of Pittsburgh and Joel Holcomb of Troy, N.Y.; a daughter, Sarah Marchant of Cumming, Ga., and three grandchildren. The funeral will be Friday at 10 from United Church of Christ Second Congregational, 487 Western Ave., Westfield, followed by burial in New Cemetery, Southwick. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 7 at FIRTION-ADAMS FUNERAL SERVICE, 76 Broad St., Westfield. Memorial donations may be made to The Star Island Scholarship Fund in care of Jodie Hatfield, P.O. Box 358, Hillsboro, NH 03244, or The Donald Holcomb Fund in care of Wider Church Ministries, 700 Prospect St., Cleveland, OH 44119.

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Donald Holcomb Otis

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Don supervised me at the Westfield Area Child Guidance Clinic. He had a profound influence on my career.
from: Marguerite Alpers	on: 10-18-2023