Kevin was born and raised on the San Francisco Peninsula. His parents Ricky and Jim Holden,
raised him with his sister, Jocelyne (William Crecca) in Belmont, CA. Kevin attended Notre
Dame Elementary where his mother was the French language teacher. He then attended Junipero
Serra High School and became a lifetime Padre! At Serra, he participated in many activities
including varsity football, track, Angler's Club, and he was "Jud" in the production of
"Oklahoma!". Kevin attended College of San Mateo for two years before deciding to follow in
his dad's footsteps and entered the field of HVAC construction. Kevin started his own company
in 1990, and stayed in business until he retired in 2021.
Kevin and Kelley were married in 1983 and started their family of three beautiful and smart
daughters: Jillian Holden, Emma Maas (Herbert), and Elizabeth Holden. Kevin's life was all
about family. Kevin was the ultimate "Girl Dad." He loved coaching his girls in softball and
soccer, and he even tried basketball for one season. Kevin served in many capacities with AYSO,
SCYSA, Club and school sports. He was so proud of his girls on the field and in the dugout! We
definitely enjoyed some "glory days" on many fields all over California and around the country.
Along the way, Kevin was involved in many community and church groups. Kevin was a
Rotarian for many years and served as one of the youngest San Carlos Club presidents. When
our girls were quite young (under 6), Kevin decided to participate in one of the first St Charles
Mexico Mission Trips. Soon he became one of the leaders of the trip and he continued for over
20 years. Eventually, his daughters were able to join their dad on the Mission Trips which was so
special to him. Kevin touched many people with his stories about the profound effect the Mission
Trips had with the teenagers of our parish. In Kevin's honor and in lieu of flowers, please make a
donation to the St. Charles Mission Trip. The Kevin Holden Legacy Fund is in the process of
being created to sponsor prospective adult volunteers who are in need of financial assistance to
attend the trip.
Kevin was able to travel to many destinations. Trips to Europe to reconnect with his first cousins
in France, watch Emma play professional softball in the Netherlands where she found her future
husband, visit Elizabeth in Paris during her study-abroad semester, charter a sailboat trip in
Tahiti and cruise the Caribbean. But some of our favorite family trips were our annual summer
vacations in Arnold, CA, where we enjoyed long days in the sun sitting by Lodge Lake in Blue
Lake Springs, playing board games at the cabin, and being around friends and family. These
were the Good Times that Kevin treasured dearly.
Kevin found a new passion in his life when he was about 50 years old - Sailing!! Soon, sailing
became his exit strategy from his contracting business. He took many classes to qualify to
become a Captain as well as certifications to be a sailing instructor. He joined the Sequoia Yacht
Club, and we enjoyed cruise-outs, racing, and many social activities. He also joined the Modern
Sailing Club where he became a Sailing instructor. He loved teaching new sailors the ropes. Of
course, Kevin blended into the sailing community with enthusiasm. He took every opportunity to
bring his family and friends out with him on the Bay. A lot of great memories on the water!
Our family has grown over the past few years. The joy of his life has been his grandchildren,
James Holden Pinillos (age 3), Noa Rose Maas (age 2), and Maxine Jane Maas (age 2 months).
"Papi" signed up right away to help out with daycare duty, watching Noa & James for multiple
days a week. We were blessed that Kevin was able to hold Maxine in the last month. Kevin was
the grandpa that every kid would want; as Noa would often say proudly, "That's MY Papi!"
Kevin was known for being a character with a lot of personality. Uninhibited, he was not shy to
meet new people and try new things. He will be remembered for his gentleness and sensitivity as
a father and as a husband, for his outgoing personality, and for his loud and recognizable laugh
that would fill an entire room. He worked hard to be a dependable man for his family and his
community, motivated by his love of people and his love for the world. He did so much with his
time on Earth, never giving up on the idea that happiness is usually right under our noses. And he
found happiness time after time, whether that be on the softball field, volunteering in Mexico and
in the parish, on a sailboat teaching about the ways of the water, getting coffee with his friends,
and of course at home with his most loved family. As we come together to celebrate Kevin, let us
honor his joy of life by living by his example. As Kevin would say, "Peace, love, and puka
shells. Rock and roll baby!"

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Kevin Holden Legacy Fund - Mexico Mission Trip. There is a link for a donation on the St. Charles Parish home page on the left hand side of the page. St. Charles Parish / Homepage (stcharlesparish.org)