Today, we remember and honor the life of Hollis A. St. Germain, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and veteran whose legacy continues to inspire those who knew him. Born on December 15, 1948, in Burlington, Vermont, Hollis was the cherished son of Melvin and Doris (Gingras) St. Germain. His journey took him from Burlington to Bristol, where he built a life filled with service, dedication, and love.
Hollis’s childhood in Bristol was marked by promise and achievement. A graduate of Bristol Eastern High School, he answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Trained as a jet engine mechanic, he excelled in his field and dedicated two decades to his military career. Retiring as a Technical Sergeant in 1989, Hollis embodied excellence, patriotism, and unwavering commitment throughout his service.
In his personal life, Hollis found joy in building intricate Lego creations and assembling model cars, hobbies that showcased his meticulous nature and creativity. These passions reflected the care and attention he brought to every aspect of his life.
Hollis shared a life filled with love and companionship with his wife, Marianne (Calcott) St. Germain, and cherished the memory of his first wife, Patricia (O’Connor) St. Germain. He was the proud father of three children: Quintina St. Germain of Bristol, Quentin St. Germain and his wife Amy, also of Bristol, and Elizabeth Butler and her husband Gary of Thomaston. Hollis’s legacy lives on through his nine grandchildren—Daveed, Christopher, Collin, Alexander, Kelsie, Amilia, Victoria, Alexander, and Kellie—who brought immense joy to his life.
He also shared a close bond with his brother, Mark St. Germain, and Mark’s wife Gloria, of Florida, as well as with his nieces and nephews. His family was the center of his world, and his love for them was evident in the relationships he nurtured and the memories they created together.
As we reflect on Hollis’s life, we remember his warmth, his dedication, and the impact he made on everyone he touched. His legacy of service, love, and creativity remains an enduring source of inspiration. Today, we honor not just the date of his birth but the incredible life he lived and the profound impact he left behind.
I am not a veteran. I am a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. But in 1991, personal loss brought me to a place I never left.
Over two decades later, that loss led me to the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, where I took on the coordination of Wreaths Across America — which grew into the largest and fastest growing veterans program in the state. I didn’t do it for recognition. I did it for them.
In 2016 I founded the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin. Not because I served, but because I believe those who did deserve to be honored, connected, and kept alive.
Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day. I knew about that number before it became a hashtag. I knew it personally, long before anyone was talking about it.
This publication exists because that number is unacceptable. Because every veteran in Connecticut deserves to know someone gives a damn.
That someone is me.