In Memoriam – Donald Holland

Donald W Holland Sr of Saugus, formerly of Belmont, MA and York, ME passed away surrounded by his loving family on Father’s Day June 18, 2023. He was born in Cambridge MA. Son of the late Margaret Sullivan Holland of Castletown Bere, Ireland and Jeremiah Holland of Bere Island, Ireland. 

He is predeceased by his beloved wife Carol A Holland. He is survived by his children, Donna M Bonaccorsi of Medford, MA, Linda A Calabro of Randloph, MA, Doreen F Jordan of Melrose, MA, Donald W Holland Jr of Saugus, MA, Cheryl A Holland of Saugus, MA and Carol T Maynard of Everett MA. He was Grandfather to Nicholas, Matthew, Jenna, Jomei, Brian, Crystal, David, Shawn, Lindsey, Jessica and Ashley. He was Great Grandfather to Connor, Cohen, Sawyer, Logan, August, and Dillon. He was Godfather to Kerry Hall, Micaela Johnston and Hollie MacLennan. Longtime friend of over 50 years to Teresa “Terri” Niedzwiecki and Kathy Mac. He was a wonderful brother to Irene M Holland of Nashua, NH, Ann M Callahan of Billerica, MA, and Francis Holland of Moultonborough, NH.

Mr. Holland was raised in Somerville and Belmont and enlisted in active duty of The Marines Corps at 17 in 1958 and continued on in the The Marine Corps Reserve until 1965. He opened his first business in October 1966. Hi Fi Pizza in Central Square Cambridge, Ma before selling to his brother Frankie in 1983. He’s opened many businesses during the past few decades, Don’s Pub and Grub (now The Phoenix Landing) which morphed into a women’s bar, The Marquee.

He resurrected Simeone’s Restaurant after it burned to the ground and added late night entertainment. In 1982 it reopened as Campus nightclub and in 1985 as Manray celebrating “The Art of Nightlife” welcoming alternative lifestyles. The club was featured on the program 20/20 and Life Magazine and was hailed as a trailblazer for the underground community.

Manray closed in July 2005 and after years of pursuing his dream of reopening he finally succeeded in January 2023 with a newly born ManRay. Mr. Holland was a well respected member of the business community and a cultural icon in Central Square Cambridge and beyond.

He was dearly loved by his family and worked tirelessly to leave behind a lasting legacy for them. He was unlike any other with his larger than life personality and embraced by all his friends, customers and employees throughout the decades. Mr. Holland’s legacy will live on through the resurrection of his beloved ManRay and the cherished memories of family, friends and the countless others who experienced his vision.