Nick Holly passed away in the presence of family and friends at his home in Santa Monica after a long illness on November 21st. Born in Rochester on December 22, 1970, he was the son of Grant and Michael Ann Holly. He graduated from Geneva High School in 1989 and attended NYU for a year before transferring to and graduating from Rutgers University in 1993, where he played Division 1 NCAA lacrosse.
Inspired by his sister Lauren's career in Hollywood, Nick moved to Los Angeles where he started working at Creative Artists Agency in the mailroom. He soon became an agent at Buchwald and then went on to form his own management company, Epiphany Alliance, where he managed several writers for film, television, and Broadway. In 2006, Nick teamed with a client, Fred Goss, to create the comedy series Sons & Daughters. He was also a writer on the animated series The LeBrons.
Nick enjoyed success in his professional career, his real passions were family, friends, and adventures. Friends of Nick were blessed by his forging of strong bonds through his unwavering support and fierce loyalty. Nothing would stop him from standing beside a friend in need, whether in the east coast or the west.
Nick’s passion for adventure was cultivated at a young age when he lived in England for a year. After returning to Geneva, he started small, “turning excursions” throughout his neighborhood, “The Lane,” into local adventures. These soon evolved into more notable treks. He would travel across cities and states to visit friends at college or those beginning new careers. Each trip was marked by Nick’s spontaneity, curiosity, and ability to always create fun memories.
Variety, one of the several trade magazines in Hollywood that recently noted his death, stated that “Nick loved the ocean, the wilderness, and traveling the world, climbing mountains from Baldy to Kilimanjaro, to hiking the plains of the Serengeti . . . . He will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a great thinker, philosopher, and lover of scotch.” Proudly visiting all seven continents, he evidenced a deep love for the planet he lived on and was compassionate in doing his share to save it and its endangered inhabitants.
Nick maintained his optimism, sense of humor, and quick wit throughout his life, even in the face of tremendous adversity. He is survived by his mother, Michael Ann Holly, stepfather Keith Moxey, Susan Wertman Sullivan, sister, Lauren Holly, three nephews (Alexander, George, and Henry), uncle and aunt, Chuck and Penny Holly, girlfriend, Amy Shapiro, several cousins, and many Geneva High school alumni and friends, as well as those from the entertainment industry. He was predeceased by his father, Grant; brother, Alexander; and beloved grandparents George and Peggy Mueller and Grant and Marjorie Innes Holly.
Two memorials for Nick will be held: At St. Augustine-by-the-Sea in Santa Monica, California on Wednesday, December 7th at 2:00pm, and At St. Johns Chapel in Williamstown, Massachusetts on December 19th at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Nick’s name to: The “A” Fund (for Alexander Holly), Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com