John "Bud" Sanford Holden, Jr.

John "Bud" Sanford Holden, Jr., 88, of North Attleboro, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, MA. He was the beloved husband of Cheryl L. (Jahn) Holden, to whom he was married on June 6, 1964.Born on October 8, 1929 in Attleboro, MA, he was the son of the late John Sanford Holden and the late Hilda (Carpenter) Holden.A lifelong resident of Attleboro and North Attleboro, Bud was a graduate of Manlius Preparatory School and Norwich University. He proudly and honorably served our country as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.Bud was the former President of Automatic Machine Products Co. of Taunton, a company founded by his father in 1923 in Attleboro, and now run by his son, John Holden III. Deeply committed to the community throughout his life, Bud leaves a legacy of civic duty and involvement. He was actively involved in the Attleboro YMCA for more than fifty years, having served as a member of the Board of Directors and as a member of the Board of Trustees. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the First Federal Savings Bank of America in Attleboro, and a Director of the Robert F. Stoico First Fed Charitable Foundation. Bud was a former President of the United Way of Attleboro, and a two-time past President of the Attleboro Lions Club, where he was a member for more than fifty years. He was a former President of the Attleboro Scholarship Foundation and of the area Council of Churches. Years ago, he was an Auxiliary Police Officer for the Town of North Attleboro, and was a member of the Second Congregational Church in Attleboro.Bud was well known as the voice of North Attleboro High School Big Red Football through his role as the public address announcer for twenty-nine years, and was a founder and former President of the Monday Night Gridiron Club, supporting the North Attleboro High School Red Rocketeers football team. He was a proud Honorary Member of the Attleboro Area Football Hall of Fame.An athlete throughout his life, he was an avid golfer and a member of Highland Country Club for more than fifty years. Bud enjoyed snow skiing well into his Seventies, and playing tennis into his Eighties. He passed on his love of sports to his son and his beloved grandsons and made it a top priority in his life to attend all of their sporting events. One of his favorite places to spend time with his family and friends was Melvin Village on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, where he was a member and former Commodore of the Melvin Village Yacht Club.In addition to his wife, Cheryl, he leaves his loving son, John Sanford Holden III and his wife, Pamela A. (Moulin) Holden, of North Attleboro, MA. He was the proud and adoring grandfather of Barrett S. Holden and Reid C. Holden. Bud was the brother of Ruth Hansen of Melvin Village, NH, and her late husband, Niel Hansen; Susan Gula and her husband, John Gula, of Mansfield, MA; Carol Reasoner of Mansfield, MA; and Alice Haydock of Toms River, NJ. He leaves his step brother, Walter Bragg and his wife, Judy Bragg, of North Attleboro, MA; several nieces and nephews, his extended family, and many dear friends.Relatives and friends are cordially invited to honor and remember Bud at a celebration of his life on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the historic Obed Robinson House - 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.A Children's Room is available during the visitation.Burial will be private.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bud to either: The Attleboro YMCA, 63 North Main St., Attleboro, MA 02703; or to the Community VNA, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, MA 02703; or to the North Attleboro Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 926, North Attleboro, MA 02760.For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200