Obituaries

Bruce Grenville Holran, 87

May 24, 1934 - August 20, 2021

Bruce G. Holran passed away peacefully on Friday, August 20, 2021, at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, Pa. at the age of 87.

Born in Hackensack, N.J. on May 24, 1934 to the late Margaret Ruth Chapple and Herbert Grenville Holran, Bruce became a child model in New York City at age 8 where his red wavy hair and twinkling smile had him on national magazine covers and billboards.

Bruce was a proud graduate of Mount Herman School (now Northfield Mount Herman) (1952) and Colgate University (1956).

He spent 40 years as a college administrator and public relations practitioner starting with public relations and development positions at his Alma Maters before becoming director of public relations at Clark University in 1964. Moving to Lancaster in 1968, he held both positions of director of public relations and sports information director at Franklin & Marshall College for 18 years before becoming director of college relations at Elizabethtown College in 1986. He was passionate about vocabulary and well-constructed sentences, expressive photography and layouts, and was recognized nationally, along with his colleagues, for the award-winning F&M Today magazine.

Bruce led by example as a citizen, public servant and volunteer serving as a judge of elections, on education boards, and on boards of trustee and advisory boards for organizations including The Samaritan Counseling Center, Intermediate Unit 13, Lancaster-Lebanon Council Boy Scouts of America, Highland Presbyterian Church and the Lancaster Environmental Action Federation (LEAF) where he co-founded the Recycling Center Project in 1974. He also was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 43, Lancaster, Pa.

Bruce was elected three times, serving 12 years, including four years as president, to the Manheim Township Schools Board of Directors, having the privilege and honor to confer diplomas to four of five children.

His university’s summer camp on Upper Saranac Lake, NY, led to a love of the Adirondack mountains and lifelong friendships. He and Barbara spent summers and falls of their retirement years at their camp “Home Away,” where they hosted friends and family and enjoyed giving many boat tours sharing the history of the lake and unique Adirondack architecture. Bruce enjoyed playing tennis, golf, the challenge of The New York Times crossword puzzles, and loved a good game of cribbage.

While at the lake, he held volunteer positions for the Back Bay and Upper Saranac Lake Associations, helping with the loon count and protecting the fragile St. Regis region watershed.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara Erb Holran; their five children: Elizabeth Holran, Falls Church, Va.; Peter (Pamela) Holran, Falls Church Va.; Jill Holran Kurash, Royalton Vt.; Holly Himes, Oroville, Calif.; and Jeffrey (Claudia) Himes, Lancaster, Pa.; and four grandchildren: Erica and Evan Kurash, and Carolyn and Gaarison Holran. He is also survived by his sister, Joan Holran Benneyan, Brattleboro, Vt., extended family and many friends. He was predeceased by his first wife, Carolyn Tillou Holran. Earlier this month, he enjoyed a visit with all his children and grandchildren.

A Celebration of Bruce’s life will take place at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at Highland Presbyterian Church, 500 East Roseville Road, Lancaster, PA, 17601, where the family will receive guests beginning at 1:00 PM. To honor Bruce, consider a donation to the Samaritan Counseling Center, 1803 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601, or to the Upper Saranac Lake Foundation, P O Box 564, Saranac Lake, NY, 12983, or the charity of your choice; volunteer at your local election polls, and vote in every election.

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Condolences to the Family

October 14, 2021

To the Holran Family,
All of us at the Back Bay Association (your summer home on the lane) send our condolences.
We at the Back Bay Association are eternally greatful for the many years of volunteer service to our association. Bruce served as our Secretary/Treasurer for many years. Bruce’s smile and always positive outlook was a gift to us all. Bruce will be fondly rememembered on the lane and we will make sure to keep Bruce in out thoughts and memories.
Thank you Barbara for sharing Bruce with us for so many years.
Art Adamsen on behalf of all the members of the Back Bay Association

October 14, 2021

Rick and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Bruce Holman. We had the privilege of working with Bruce at Highland Presbyterian. He was such a supportive person when we needed guidance. If anyone had the history of Highland Presbyterian, it was Bruce. Our deepest condolences to Bruce’s family and friends. In His Grace and Love, Becky and Rick Wetzel

October 13, 2021

To the Holran Family – I worked at F&M from 1968-1971. I remember Mr. Holran as being friendly and kind even to this young business office worker straight out of high school. May God comfort you with His love and peace during this time. Nancy Marshall

September 17, 2021

Dear Barbara, my condolences to you and the family on Bruce’s passing. I well remember the many times we worked together on the F&M staff (I was in Development). Writing was never my strong point. Bruce was most helpful to me and my colleagues in creating language and scenarios for our messages. And he was a tickler about words, punctuations and all! Sincerely, Paul Ware

September 03, 2021

To the Family of Bruce Holran — We were so sorry to read about your husband, father, grandfather. Bruce was a genuine person. He believed in the education of our children in the classroom and in the community. At Highland Presbyterian Church he mentored Boy Scouts completing their God and Church badge. As Clerk of the Session he led the congregation in many, many of our youth’s milestones from baptism to ordination. He could be relied on to always bring his best efforts to the job. He wanted the young people to learn the value of high morals. He was a good example. This time of year he and Barb would be journeying back from Saranac Lake. Those of us who knew Bruce owe him a debt of gratitutde. He was a man of conviction and we will miss him. May he, indeed, rest in the arms of Christ.

September 03, 2021

To the family of Bruce Holran – My wife Julie and I extend our condolenses to the Holran family. Bruce was a dear friend and colleague of mine when we worked together at Franklin and Marshall College. I have wonderful memories of driving to away football games with Bruce and seeing him in the Williamson Field press box during home football games typing the play by play action and keeping game stats. He also developed unique game programs for football and basketball games. When the old press box that shook in the wind was taken down and replaced with a new one, Bruce thought it was a palace. We had many discussions about the state of intercollegiate athletics at both the local and national levels which I valued. A wonderful friend will be missed by the Marshall family.
Dr. William Marshall

August 30, 2021

Jill, my sincerest condolences on the recent loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are sent to you and the whole family during this time.
Jenny Droz Switch

August 29, 2021

I read with sadness today of the passing of one of my dad’s great friends, Bruce. Bruce and my dad (Chuck Froehlich) came to work at F&M the same year — 1968 — and I remember my dad speaking so fondly of Bruce. As I read Bruce’s obituary, I can see very clearly how they became fast friends. I have no doubt that my dad was there welcoming Bruce to his new spiritual home, and no doubt they are sharing a laugh and a story or two for old times’ sake. May your family find joy in the recognition of all the lives Bruce touched in his time on earth and peace during these difficult days. My most sincere condolences to you Barbara, and to all of Bruce’s family.

Visitation: Saturday, October 16, 2021; 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM; Highland Presbyterian Church; 500 East Roseville Road; Lancaster, PA 17601
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Services: Saturday, October 16, 2021; 2:00 PM; Highland Presbyterian Church; 500 East Roseville Road; Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >