Obituary of Ernest Frank Holland

Ernest "Frank" Holland, 80, born in Ocala on July 27, 1930, passed away on Friday, April 1, 2011. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was accepted into the Nuclear Power Submarine Division. In 1958 he was among the crew as the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine, made its secret voyage from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean via the North Pole. He received the Presidential Unit Citation for this historic feat. The hand-made postal cancellation stamp that Frank carved while aboard the Nautilus is now in the Smithsonian Postal Museum. He retired from the Navy in 1969, returned to Ocala, and accepted a position at Central Florida Community College teaching Radiological Health Technology. In 1982 he moved to Cary, NC and was employed by Carolina Power & Light Company. He retired to the Ocala area in 1993 where he could again enjoy fishing and going to Gator football with his long-time friend, Dr. James L. McLaughlin. He resumed his position as Elks Club Youth Activities Chairman which included the Hoop Shoot and Scholarship program. He was also the Past President of the Nautilus Alumni Association, current Commander of the U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc. Nautilus Base in Ocala, was serving on the Marion County Veterans Council, participated in the Veterans in the Classroom program, and was a member of the American Legion. After meeting Tommy Needham he began volunteering his services to the Ocala Marion County Veterans Memorial Park to ensure its completion. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar Frank and Winogene Adams Holland. He is survived by his wife of 49 years Annette Holland; three daughters, Patricia Kalarovich (Mark), Wheatland, IA, Laura Alley, Goldsboro, NC, and Karen Holland of Belleview, FL; four grandchildren Brandon and Samantha Kalarovich, Daniel and Kristen Alley. Frank was devoted to his family and friends and his life was always marked by his service to his country, his community, and his church. A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on Thursday, April 7 at 11:00 followed by a graveside USSVI memorial military ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Marion County Hospice or the Nautilus Alumni Scholarship, c/o Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, 4966 Euclid Rd., Suite 109, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.