Obituary David Andrew Holinger (1980-2025) With a larger-than-life personality and a heart that was even bigger, David Andrew Holinger, 45, of Belgrade Maine, died unexpectedly on June 26, 2025. He was born in Lewiston, ME in 1980 to Howard and Susan Holinger. One of his favorite childhood memories was when he traveled via motorhome cross-country to Alaska in 1986. Challenged with language-based learning disabilities, David began attending Landmark School and graduated there in 1998. He then went on to the University of New England, earning degrees in both secondary education as well as marine biology. David began his teaching career at Old Orchard High School where he received the Biology Teacher of the Year. He later taught Freshman science at Lewiston High School for over ten years before making his transition into administration. He received his Masters of Educational Leadership from Thomas College in 2018. Most recently he made the decision to leave the workforce and provide full-time care for his parents in their home. David met his wife, Heather (Godfrey) Holinger when he was sixteen on a week-long camping trip through Moosehead Lake. Their unique love story brought them back together in 2010. They were married on August 18, 2011 with several members of that same Moosehead trip attending and serving in the wedding. Also, in attendance at their wedding were the many "family" from New England Music Camp where they worked together for ten years as Head Counselors. For the next almost fourteen years David and Heather worked together to raise their family in Belgrade, Maine. It began with Logan and Piper (The Varsity Squad) before adding Wyatt and Eleanor (The JV Squad) into the mix. Their last big trip together, as a family, was spending three weeks in Alaska in a motor home. David had a wide array of talents and hobbies. When he was younger, he spent large amounts of time in the theater, competitive skiing and scuba diving. As he got older and spent more time with his father, David began to tinker and fix things. Davids last big project was building "The Red House", which he did mostly with his father and father in-law. While it was a lot of work, it has also provided many wonderful memories. David loved music, which came in handy when working at New England Music Camp for ten years. While he enjoyed the campers it was the counselors that he loved leading and guiding. It always made his heart so happy when former counselors would call or come to visit. Part of David's mission as a father, husband and friend was to provide food with exceptional taste and love. He made it his evening mission to watch as much Iron Chef, Beat Bobby Flay, Somebody Feed Phil, and Gordon Ramsey Uncharted. With the inspiration of those shows, the skills of YouTube university and trial and error, David would specialize in homemade pastas, sourdough breads, "change your life burgers", and an unwavering love for good meat cooked to just past mooing. His food was well known in his family and would summon his oldest son home as quickly as he could make it to be sure to get some before it would all disappear. David was preceded in death by his beloved father Howard Holinger in March of 2025. He was also predeceased by maternal grandparents Theodore and Evelyn Bodnar, and paternal grandparents Carl and Jean Holinger. He is survived by his wife Heather Holinger and their children Logan Holinger (20) and his wife Isabel, Piper Nichols (19), Wyatt Holinger (12) and Eleanor Holinger (6). He is also survived by his mother (Susan Holinger) and his two older brothers (Chris and Eric). On both sides of the family, he leaves behind five nieces and three nephews. He will also be greatly missed by his four-legged, cheese loving dog Denali and his favorite horse Big Jess from Ballard Farm. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 12 at 11:00 at Hope Baptist Church in Manchester, Maine.