Obituary of wayne francis holstius

Wayne Francis Holstius, 78, of Pensacola, Florida passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2021. Remembering Wayne Francis Holstius, also known as “Jake,” by his close friends and family. Wayne was 78 years old. He was born in Hartford Connecticut April 28, 1943, and was raised in Fairhaven, Massachusetts by his loving parents Francis Bernhard Holstius and Eveline Gagnon Holstius. He resided with his wife Carolene in Pensacola, Florida for the last 27 years. Jake proudly enlisted in the United States Navy in 1965 as an Aviation Support Equipment Technician and retired as Master Chief Petty Officer after 22 honorable years of service. Jake was a decorated Sailor having earned the National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Commendation, Navy Achievement Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Fifth Good Conduct Award, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, and many others. He was stationed in Pax River Maryland from 1965-1966, ATKRON 212 (Vietnam) from 1966-1967, U.S.S. Kitty Hawk 1967-1968, NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island 1968-1971, NAS Bermuda 1971-1974, NAVRCRUITDIST (Detailer) Boston 1974-1978, U.S.S. America 1978-1981, COMNAVMILPERCOM Washington, D.C. 1981-1983 and SIMA Portsmouth, Virginia 1983-1986. Wayne married the love of his life Carolene Pearl Strang, in Bermuda on July 13, 1973. They were together in love for over 50 years. Wayne is survived by his wife, Carolene Holstius; daughter, Eveline St. Jean with husband, David St. Jean; daughter, Kelly Polk with husband, Christopher Polk (U.S. Navy); daughter. Jennifer George with husband, Alexander George; his grandchildren, Nicole Jernigan with husband Hunter Jernigan, Zachary St. Jean, William Suter (U.S. Army), Angelina Polk and Jacob George; his great- grandchildren, Adriana St. Jean, Harrison Jernigan and Harper Jernigan and his sister, Elizabeth Evans. Wayne was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS, blood and bone marrow Cancer) 8 years ago. He defied the odds and fought far longer than expected and that was due to his frequent blood and platelet transfusions. Most MDS patients have a life expectancy of 5-6 years and Wayne survived 8 years and that was thanks to his amazing doctors and the gift of blood donations. His wish was for people to donate blood and platelets regularly to support people like him and others that require blood to survive. Blood donations kept Wayne alive for a long time and he was so grateful every time he received this precious gift. On behalf of his final wishes, the family asks that donations are made in his honor to the MDS Foundation at www.mds-foundation.org, or to your local blood donation center. A Funeral will be held on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 with service from 11:30 - 12:15 PM at Family Funeral & Cremation, 5627 N. Davis Highway, Pensacola, Florida 32503. Following the Chapel Service, family and guests will be escorted by the Patriot Guard to Barrancas National Cemetery at 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola, Florida for a 1 o’clock military burial. A private reception will be hosted by the family following the services.