Man of Avon: Stephen Roberts Holt '58

Stephen Roberts Holt died peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 12, 2020.

A devoted and distinguished architect in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Steve will always be remembered for his creative spirit.

With a felt-tip pen never far from hand, he was a consummate artist and historian—always drawing inspiration from the world around him.  He was a sailor, a skier, and an avid swimmer.  He was a man of strong faith.  He was a loving husband and father.

Born and raised in New England, he attended Avon Old Farms, Columbia, and received his masters at the Yale School of Architecture.  In his early career, Steve lead the preservation of Colonial Williamsburg before returning to Manchester to start his own firm and carry on a family legacy of over 130 years.  His relationship with the town’s architecture ran deep.  His great-grandfather, Oliver Roberts, founded the famed contracting firm, Roberts and Hoare, which built many of Manchester’s beautiful homes and structures in the late 1800s including the Rotunda at Tuck’s Point. 

With a career that spanned nearly half a century, Steve not only renovated many of the homes originally built by his family, but also designed new homes of the same stature; beautifully crafted with thoughtful attention to detail.  From Norton’s point to Gale’s point to Eagle Head and beyond, his award-winning work and timeless sense of style has left a mark on the landscape of Cape Ann for generations to come.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janice Holt, his two children, Anne Holt and Stephen Holt, and his grandchildren, Henry Holt and Lucy Holt.

A memorial service will be held at a future date due to current CDC restrictions.