Peter Blakeley Holland

September 27, 1941 - April 16, 2024

Lexington, MA Peter Blakeley Holland III, 82, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2024, in his home surrounded by the love of his wife Beatrice Mah Holland, daughters Jane and Rebekka, their partners Adrian and Michael, and his brother Michael. Peter was born in Louisville, Kentucky to Peter Blakeley and Linnie Virginia Holland (née Hill) in 1941. He loved growing up with his siblings Lynne, Michael, and Julie, and with parents who nurtured their love of family, faith, education, and baseball–values that Peter lived his life by.

Peter knew from a young age that he wanted to pursue a spiritual life. He attended Catholic school and university where traditions of the church became the foundations of his faith. He joined the Xavierian Brothers in 1960, where he loved the sense of mission, common goals, and serving the community. As a Brother, he grounded his spirituality in teaching, finding a sense of purpose and peace in his work and relationships.

Peter believed good, equitable schools make a difference for everyone, and focused his teaching and school administration on the quality of education alongside student experiences. Education for him was about continual growth, fulfilment, and understanding the truth and beauty of life. He taught at Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore for 13 years, taking on a particularly challenging role as principal. Seeing the school thrive was a high point in his professional life.

In 1980, Peter moved to the Boston area for grad school, where he met and fell in love with Bea Mah and her two young kids. They built a vibrant home and life together in Lexington surrounded by trees and bird feeders. They particularly savoured family travel to Europe, the Holy Land, and New Zealand, as well as taking turns cooking for each other. Enjoying meals with cherished friends, dancing, going for long walks, hosting the neighborhood block party, and supporting senior community life in Lexington, Peter and Bea shared forty years of beloved marriage.

Peter found great meaning and satisfaction in the public school system in Lynnfield and then as superintendent of Belmont Public Schools, and later supporting curriculum at Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael, a Jewish school for boys in Boston. When he retired from Belmont, the library at the High School was renamed the Peter B. Holland Library ''with gratitude for his clarity, compassion and humor in guiding the district for 20 years with an unswerving focus on the best interests of the students."

Peter loved planning his woodland garden, welcoming pollinators and all wild visitors (except squirrels). He introduced his nephews and daughters to the joys of camping and yard work. A superfan, Peter played outfield and then coached baseball, and never gave up on the Red Sox. He cherished adventures with Bea, bringing us together for annual "Linniefest" reunions, and designing the family calendar. Family was more important than anything. Peter felt blessed to have the guidance and love of his parents, as well as close relationships with his sister Lynne and brother-in-law Ted, brother Michael and sister-in-law Mary Ann, and sister Julie. He treasured nephews and partners Dan and Renuka, David and Jen, Michael Patrick and Maria, Matt and Libby, Michael Blakeley and Shelly, niece Diane, and all of the newest generation.

Peter's family extended to a loving group of friends, which he made as a Brother, teacher, superintendent and active community member. He cared for his friends deeply, reaching out during their difficult times, and in turn receiving care from all of them when he needed it most. He will be remembered and missed as a loving son, brother, husband, parent, and often smile and say, "It's so good to be with you."

A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday May 11 at St. Brigid Church, 1981 Mass. Ave. Lexington at 10am. Visitation immediately prior to the Mass from 9am to 10am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited.

One of Peter's favorite charities was the Pine Street Inn, to help end homelessness. Checks can be made out to Pine Street Inn, with a notation, In memory of Peter B. Holland, and mailed to 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118.

A donation could also be made to The Peter B. Holland Library at Belmont High School, named after Peter "for an unswerving focus on the best interest of the students." Checks can be made out to Belmont Public Schools, with a notation, Peter B. Holland Library, and mailed to 644 Pleasant St., Belmont, MA 02478.

Interment Westview Cemetery, Lexington.