Richard Holmberg Obituary

Richard E. Holmberg, a two year resident of Warwick, NY (formerly of Berwyn, Ilinois), passed away on September 24, 2010 at Hospice of New Jersey at St. Joseph's Hospital, Wayne, NJ. He was 84 years old. Born on October 5, 1925 in Berwyn, IL, he was the son of the late Algot and Sarah Kristina (Hasselbom) Holmberg, and the grandson of the late Polly (Jordan) Hasselbom of Limerick, Ireland. He was married to the late Olive (Piche) Holmberg of Montreal, Quebec for 42 years. Mr. Holmberg served with the US Army Air Corps during World War II. Richard graduated from Cornell University's School of Agriculture with a degree in Horticulture in January 1951. He owned and operated Nelson & Holmberg Greenhouses in Naperville, IL for over 50 years. Richard's family will remember him for his generosity, his intelligence, his sense of humor, his unconditional support, and his pride in his Swedish heritage. He is survived by his three children: Janis Holmberg of Warwick, NY, Karen Holmberg Emmerich and her husband Kurt of Warwick, NY, and Erik Holmberg and his wife Elizabeth of Yorkville, IL; seven grandchildren: Sarah Roberts, John Roberts, Hayley Roberts, Evan Emmerich, Adam Emmerich, Nelson Holmberg and Michael Holmberg; a brother, Lennart Holmberg of Mobile, AL; and his cousin, Alice Goshgarian of Lake Forest, IL. His family will receive friends at the home of his daughter, Karen Emmerich, 101 Sleepy Valley Road, Warwick, NY 10990 on Tuesday, September 28th, from 6:00-9:00 pm. In Richard's memory, a memorial tree will be planted at Cornell Plantations in Ithaca, New York. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Alzheimer's Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Ste. 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Arrangements were under the direction of Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick, NY 10990. For further information or to send an online condolence, see www.lsvpmemorialhome.com