Young Coast Guard Officer Who Died in Boating Accident Will Be Missed

Nicholas Holmes was described on by his friends on Facebook as a “guy who meant the world to a lot of people.”

Holmes, 25, of Lanoka Harbor, died in a boating accident on June 25 in Barnegat Bay. He was thrown overboard from a 23-foot scarab near Tices Shoal when it was hit by a strong wake from another passing boat, according to the New Jersey State Police.

Holmes, a Machinery Technician First Class in the U.S. Coast Guard, was honored with several vigils at Laurel Boulevard in Lanoka Harbor before his body was found in Barnegat Bay around 10 a.m. June 28.

“He will be missed dearly, the amount of lives he touched in his short life greatly exceeds the amount of lives a normal person will touch in his lifetime,” his obituary on Legacy.com states.

Commenters on a Facebook page in memory of Holmes described him as an admirable, rare and special person.

Others described him as good friend with sarcastic humor and a big heart, always smiling and cracking jokes.

He played soccer, enjoyed bike riding, always stood up for what was right, and was always willing to lend a hand, friends wrote on the page.

Holmes was a 2003 graduate of Lacey Township High School.

“Anytime you go to a Lacey school, you stay part of the Lacey family,” said Superintendent Richard Starodub. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family not only as a school district. It is considered a huge loss to the school district and community and a great loss to the country to lose a man in uniform.”

Mayor Gary Quinn, who coached Holmes’ older brother in soccer, said he came from an “outstanding family.”

“My heart goes out to them," Quinn said. "I can’t even imagine the tragedy that they’re going through right now. They’re in my prayers along with everyone in the township.”

Holmes was formerly from Morehead City, N.C. and is survived by his father and mother, Ken and Patti Holmes, and two brothers Christopher and Jonathan Holmes.

A gathering will be held at Riggs Funeral Home in Lacey Township from 2 to 4 p.m. July 2, with a memorial service to follow. A reception will be held at 6 p.m. at the Captains Inn on East Lacey Road.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to:

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
US Coast Guard Stop 7180
4200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 610
Arlington, VA 20598-7180