Jack Holden

HOLDEN - John "Jack" T. Holden, 26, of Jefferson, passed away while hiking in Lincoln, New Hampshire on Saturday, December 24, 2016.  Jack was the youngest son of  Ed and Sally (Rautenberg) Holden of Jefferson.  Besides his parents, Jack will be affectionately missed and remembered by his older sister, Kate Jensen and her husband, Andrew; his older brother, Seth; two nephews and a niece, all of Jefferson.He graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in 2008. He played the violin in the WRSD ensembles from 6th grade through high school.  He was an avid Boy Scout having earned the high honor of Eagle Scout when he was 17.  He was a passionate soccer player and played many years with the Holden Youth Soccer program. He later played goalie for an adult league and referee on the weekends.He attended the Isenberg School of Business at UMass Amherst and graduated in 2012 with high honors.  His college years included one full semester at Oxford University in England and 72 days with the National Outdoor Leadership Training in the Yukon.Jack had recently been accepted into a graduate program at Fitchburg State University and had hopes of earning his licensure in Elementary Education.  He would have become an outstanding teacher.His true love of the great outdoors was exemplified with his many mountain hikes.  He had a goal to climb the highest peak in all 50 states and had already achieved 9 of these.  In 2011, Jack completed the 96 mile West Highland Way trail which is considered to be Scotland’s premiere long distant hiking trail. He loved young children, especially his nephews and niece and adored all the family dogs throughout the years, particularly the present rescue dog, Rocky.  He had a full heart, filled with love for his fellow man and all the great wonders of the world. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jack’s family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 30, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden.  A funeral service honoring his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 31, in St. Francis Episcopal Church, 70 Highland St., Holden. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made to the NH Fish & Game Search & Rescue, checks payable to NHFGSAR Account, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301 or to the Appalachian Mountain Club, payable to AMC, 5 Joy St., Boston, MA 02108. To share a memory or leave an online condolence, please visit the "Guest Book" here on our page.