Michael Lyons Holroyd, 62, of Sandy Hook, died on Friday, July 15, 2016. He passed unexpectedly 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.
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 forty-year career with the State of Connecticut. Mike leaves behind a large family that was very dear to him. His family includes sister Susan Simmons and her husband, Jason, and their children, Jennifer, Audrey, and Emily; brother Jeffrey and his children, Jesse and Brittney, and their families; brother Christopher and his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Jackson, Liam, and Blake; his uncles and aunts, Pat, Ginny, Jack, Carmella, and Sally; and his cousins, Sharon, Timothy, John, and their families. He is also survived by brother-in-law, William Seymer, his wife, Eileen, and their children, John and Jennifer, and Jennifer’s family.
Adored by all those who knew him, Mike is remembered as a most caring, warm, and genuine man. His kindness comforted all who were near him; his smile could brighten a room. Mike 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. Mike enjoyed the simple pleasures in life –watching movies with family, hosting holidays with Carla, and receiving frequent visits from his daughters, and spending time with his siblings and their families. 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.
Mike’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 sandyhookfire.com to make a donation in his honor online, 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.
The Holroyd family will receive guests at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, July 20, at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, CT, 06470. A time of remembrance to begin at approximately 5:30 pm. Immediately following, the family invites friends back to their home.

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