Holmes L. Hay, 95, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2026 at Serenity Hospice in Hamilton Township, NJ. Born in Columbus, he had lived in the Columbus / Hedding area most of his life. He was a Navy Veteran of the Korean War and had worked for Kaiser Refractories in California and retired after 25 years. Along his journey Holmes was a Trapeze artist for Hunt Brothers Circus, a magician, a professional photographer and a card-carrying stone mason. He was one of the oldest members of Mount Moriah Lodge #28 F & AM of Bordentown and was Worshipful Master in 1994. He was a member of the Tall Cedars and the Delaware / Jackson Lodge # 19. Holmes enjoyed hunting across the U.S. and in NY with Nate. He traveled across the U.S. camping with family and friends, was a wood worker, a wood turner, taught classes at the Friends School in Moorestown, and collected coins and oil lamps to convert to electric. He never lost his avid love of Arabian horses and had two of his own over the years. He enjoyed people and people enjoyed him and he will be deeply missed.

Predeceased by his parents Harry and Mary Hay, his siblings: Corinne and Lester Hay and Gloria Nailie, he is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years Patricia A Hay, his daughters and sons-in-law: Yvonne and Rich Shenowski and Debbie and Don Jones all of Columbus. Three grandchildren: Richard H. Shenowski (Gwen), Patrick Jones (Maura), Kristen Shenowski. Three great grandchildren: Jayson Montalvo-Jones, Alyssa Shenowski and Liam Jones, many nieces, nephews, cousins as well as many dear friends.

A gathering celebrating Holmes’ life will be held Monday, April 27 from 9:30 to 11:30 am with Masonic Services beginning at 11:30 am at the Peppler Funeral Home, 122 Crosswicks St, Bordentown, NJ. Entombment will follow in Brig. Gen. Wm C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Wrightstown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to either Mount Moriah Lodge #28 F & AM of Bordentown or Delaware / Jackson Lodge # 19