Mack Holt, age 94, of Haddam passed from this life at the West Haven Veterans Hospital and was welcomed into his eternal home in Heaven on January 6, 2026. Mack was comforted at the time of his death by Ming, his wife and best friend of 19 years. Mack was predeceased by his first wife, Anita Colombe Holt, his daughter Dacy O’Connor, and his eldest brother, Thomas, of Butler, Pennsylvania. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Mack R. of Windermere, Florida, Lourin Holt of Haddam and Glenn Holt of Westbrook, as well as his two sisters, Laura Bloom and Jessie Mounts, both of Butler, Pennsylvania.
Born on a farm in Butler, Mack lost his parents at an early age, requiring him to leave school with only an eighth grade education in order to help his brothers and sisters work the family farm. His lack of education didn’t prevent Mack from becoming a successful builder and contractor. His experience working on the farm, repairing things that had broken down and finding ways to do things more efficiently would contribute to his success in later life. Mack was always willing to help anyone who needed help. While working on his farm, he helped his neighbor build a house, where he quickly learned the basic skills of carpentry, masonry, plumbing and electricity
In 1951 he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War where he met his future wife, Anita. Mack served honorably as a Combat Engineer until the war ended in 1953. Mack returned to Pennsylvania with his wife and built a home in Butler, where he worked as a brick layer and home builder.
In 1976 he received an offer of employment as a bricklayer in Connecticut from a long time friend who had left Butler earlier, to start a concrete block company in Westbrook. Mack packed up his tools and belongings in an Airstream mobile home and moved to Connecticut with his wife and three children. Mack worked for many years as a home contractor with his sons for The Clark Group of Essex, and as a private contractor for Westbrook Block until his retirement in 2011.
Mack and his sons built many homes in the Clinton, Madison and Westbrook area. He also built seven homes on River Road in Haddam, including his own residence, where he lived until his passing. Mack had a passion for buying and restoring old cars and was a
fixture at the Haddam Classic car shows and received many trophies for his many classic cars.
Mack will be interred at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown on February 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with full military honors. If desired, donations in his memory may be made to the Old Saybrook Estuary/Meals on Wheels
