Michael Lyons Holroyd, 62, of Sandy Hook, died unexpectedly on July 15, after taking one of his favorite walks at Fairfield Hills in Newtown. Born on August 20, 1953, in Fort Benning, Ga., he was the oldest of four children to the late Benn Starr Holroyd, Jr and Margaret Regan Holroyd. He was deeply loved by his wife and best friend of 30 years, Carla Seymer, his two daughters, Sarah and Kathleen, and Sarah's fiancé, Justin Wong.sandyhookfire.com to make an online donation in his honor, or mail checks to one of two addresses: Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Rescue Co., 18-20 Riverside Road, Sandy Hook CT 06482, or Carla Seymer, 6 Thunder Ridge Road, Sandy Hook CT 06482. Checks will be forwarded to the department.

Mr Holroyd "Mike" grew up in Stratford and was involved in sports and student government at Bunnell High School. He later earned his Bachelor of Science with a degree in finance from the University of Connecticut, and pursued a 40-year career with the State of Connecticut.

He leaves behind a large family that was very dear to him. His family includes sister Susan Simmons and her husband, Jason, and their children; brother Jeffrey and his children, and their families; brother Christopher and his wife, Stephanie, and their children; his uncles and aunts; and his cousins and their families. His brother-in-law William Seymer and his wife, Eileen, and their children also survive him.

Adored by all those who knew him, Mr Holroyd is remembered as a most caring, warm, and genuine man. His kindness comforted all who were near him; his smile could brighten a room. He loved the outdoors and going to the Cape with his family. He was also known for making the best cup of coffee, his knack for pulling a pun out of thin air, and his infectious laugh.

Mr Holroyd enjoyed the simple pleasures in life - watching movies with family, hosting holidays with his wife, spending time with his siblings and their families, and receiving frequent visits from his daughters. He cherished his lifelong friends, met new friends with ease, and had a way of making everyone he talked to feel important, as if their interests were his as well. He instilled in his family the value of compassion, humor, and selflessness; his daughters strived to be like him. He never failed to show the immense love he had for the three most important people in his life.

Mr Holroyd's legacy of volunteering and generosity survived him as he donated tissue through the New England Organ Bank upon his death. He was very thankful to the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co for their devotion to the safety of the Sandy Hook community. To honor that, his family requests that donations be made in lieu of flowers.

Visit

The Holroyd family will receive guests at 4 pm, on Wednesday, July 20, at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. A time of remembrance to begin at approximately 5:30 pm. Immediately following, the family invites friends back to their home.