David Jeffrey Holm was born in Brooklyn NY on October 26, 1950 to William Holm and Patricia Driscoll Holm. He was raised in Connecticut and graduated Northwestern Regional 7 High School in 1969. At that time, he was already a skilled horseman riding literally from birth with his dad. His longtime friend and mentor, Joe Keefe, was the influence in David’s desire to not only ride for pleasure but to compete in jumping competitions and to play Polo. He was proficient in training horses and his desire to learn about them continued even after he discharged from military service. 

 

After graduating high school, he immediately enlisted in the US Navy choosing to serve and qualified for their Submarine Service. He earned his “Dolphins” in early 1970 and went on to perform seven nuclear submarine deterrent patrols during the Cold War. He earned the Polaris SSBN Deterrent Patrol Pin. He served aboard the USS Thomas A. Edison SSBN 610 (a Boomer) that was also famous for having the Edison Family grand piano aboard during its commission to decommission. David was honorably discharged in 1973. He later developed service connection illnesses to which he succumbed. 

 

He attended Oklahoma’s Farrier College and shod horses for over 25 years. Ten of those years, he worked for the New York City Mounted Police during which time he was recruited by the producers of the movie Fisher King starring Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges. He shod the Percheron horses with custom specialized shoes to perform various feats throughout the production. After leaving the NYPD, he studied advance equine dentistry achieving the record highest score in Master Certification from the Florida Association of Equine Dentistry in 1999. Throughout his career, David worked on horses of all uses and breeds from the backyard pleasure horse to thoroughbreds, Irish warmbloods, professional polo and show horses. He loved them all and his greatest accomplishment was in providing them with the best quality dental care for their health in digesting their food and in tolerating bits in their mouths in their daily lives. 

 

David is survived by his wife of 29 years, Janice, daughters Amy Holm Shopey and Darlene Fiore; son, Roger Padalec and his wife, Amelia; grandchildren Joseph Fiore, Anthony Fiore, Sara Fiore, Michael Padalec, and Matthew Padalec; brothers, James Holm and wife, Andeen and Todd Holm and wife, Sue. He is also survived by nieces and nephews he adored and admired as well as extended family members Lisa Holm, Lynn Janco and his Cullen family in-laws. Additionally, he is survived by his very special friends Michael and Claudia Dunn, Robert Jureit, Hedda von Goeben Windisch, Ronald Waite, Larry Moriarity, Wayne Hodge, Danny and Frances McMahan, Jimmy Cacoulidis, Juan Martinez, Kurbie Whitehead, Jim and Celia Ansley, Joanie Ryan, Linda Balot, Jerry Morris and Mack McKracken. Lastly and not to be forgotten, his faithful service dog, Boomer. 

He was a member of the US Submarine Veterans International, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Professional Horseman’s Association, and Equine Dental Practitioners Association. 

 

A Memorial Service with military honors for David will be held at VFW Post 4309 at 50 Veterans Circle in Brevard NC on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the VFW/Auxiliary 4309, 50 Veterans Circle, Brevard, NC 28712. 

 

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com 

Moody-Connolly Funeral Home 

Brevard, NC