Captain Richard Curtis Holt, Sr, age 87, of Greenland, formerly a 50 year resident of Rye, passed away on May 23, 2025 at his home following a period of declining health. For 67 years, he was the beloved husband of Anita L. (Bilodeau) Holt.
He was born in Portsmouth on August 23, 1937, son of the late Shirley Henry Holt, Jr and Althea (Trueman) Holt. Dick was raised in Kittery, Maine. After graduating from Maine Maritime Academy, he served as a LT in the US Navy Submarine Service aboard the USS Sailfish, SSR 572.
Dick was a 4th generation river pilot and worked on the Piscataqua River for 47 years. He was President of Portsmouth Pilots, Inc, and General Manager for Portsmouth Navigation and Moran Towing from 1964-1988.
He was instrumental in chartering the Propeller club of Portsmouth, NH and served as its first president. He was recently honored at the 50th anniversary of its founding and received a commendation from the US Coast Guard for his service to the maritime community. He also served as a past chairman of the Piscataqua Bank Board of Trustees.
He was an avid mariner and loved being on the ocean. He was an extraordinary patriarch to his 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He also enjoyed golfing and was a long time member of The Red House on Goat Island in New Castle.
Besides his wife, Anita, he is survived by his children, Patricia Holt of Stratham, Katrina Loudon and Stan Walker of Stratham, Terri Vitagliano of Greenland, Richard Holt Jr and his wife Patricia of Rye; nine grandchildren, Michaela Anderson, Courtney Costello, Douglas, Dave and Ross Loudon, Matthew and Christopher Vitagliano, Victoria Neville and Richard Holt, III; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert J. Holt of GA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was father-in-law of the late Paul Vitagliano, Adam Loudon and Terrence Sullivan. He was pre-deceased by his brother, Shirley Holt III, and his sister, Bertha Romagnoli.