David William Holstrom

David William Holstrom, 89, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2026, at Halifax Health Hospice in Orange City, Florida. Born on June 24, 1937, in Appleton, Wisconsin, David was the son of Carl and Nettie Holstrom. A devoted husband, father, builder, and lifelong problem-solver, he will be remembered for the ingenuity, generosity, and tireless curiosity he brought to his family, his work, and every project he undertook. His passion for construction emerged at age sixteen, when he started a home repair business in Minnesota specializing in basement interior finishing. That teenage venture became the foundation of a career spanning more than five decades in homebuilding, construction, land development, and real estate. He went on to study Architectural Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, the University of Rochester, and the University of Miami. David held leadership positions throughout the construction and development industry in New Jersey and Florida. After serving as Field Superintendent for Tiffany Homes and Deborah Construction Company in New Jersey, he founded Briellen Builders, Inc., an innovative "build-on-your-lot" homebuilding company. Following his move to south Florida, he served as Marketing Director and later Vice President of Production for Euro Homes in Coral Gables. David later served as Director of Construction for IMC Development Corporation in Lakeland, managing residential construction, recreational facilities, land planning, and reclamation projects. As Vice President of Construction and Development for W.G. Development Corporation, he helped plan and develop residential communities, condominiums, and major infrastructure projects for Sun City Center and Kings Point. His additional leadership roles included Vice President of Construction and Development for Karpay Homes and Centex Homes. He then became self-employed as the Managing General Partner of NYC & T Partners, Ltd., where he acquired, improved, and developed distressed properties throughout Florida. Through this work, he left a lasting mark on communities across the state. David took great pride in his professional accomplishments, but his greatest joy was the life he built with his beloved wife, Theresa, his partner for 46 years. Together they traveled and made treasured memories in destinations such as Breckenridge, the Florida Keys, the Cayman Islands, Yugoslavia, and Italy. Even after retiring early from his formal career, David never truly stopped working. He was happiest when building, repairing, designing, or dreaming up his next project. He loved antiques, vintage automobiles, model trains, estate sales, and time in his workshop. Over the years, he purchased, remodeled, and restored numerous homes. One of his proudest accomplishments was building a home on a seven-acre farm in Plant City, where he constructed a barn and cared for horses, cows, chickens, geese, turkeys, and guinea hens, along with an assortment of tractors and equipment. For the past 25 years, David and Theresa made their home in Astor, Florida, where he embraced life on the water. Of the several boats he owned, the most memorable was the "Car-Toon," a one-of-a-kind vessel he engineered by mounting an MG Midget convertible on a pontoon-boat chassis. Steered with the car’s original wheel, the fully functional vessel became a local attraction, and passing tour boats often stopped so passengers could take photographs and hear its story. David also had a special affection for animals, particularly the squirrels he befriended over the years. At the Plant City farm, he rescued a baby squirrel he named Cedric after it fell from its nest. Cedric eventually returned to the trees but remained a regular visitor, often climbing onto David's shoulder or nestling into the pocket of his flannel shirt while sharing peanuts. Years later in Astor, another squirrel named Junior answered when David called, eagerly arriving for dried corn cobs and companionship. Those who knew David understood that beneath his gruff exterior was a kind and generous heart. He readily lent a hand, offered advice, shared his expertise, and helped solve problems. Rather than expressing love through grand gestures, he showed it through thoughtful acts of service, including the handmade birthday and anniversary cards he created for Theresa. He remained active, curious, and absorbed in a project until the very end. David is survived by his loving wife, Theresa Holstrom; his brother, Carleton Holstrom (Mary Beth) of Pennsylvania; his children, Troy Lahti (Kendall), Tara Young (Dave), Raymond Holstrom (Kim), Patricia Gullette (Gus), and Leslie Dillehay (Gerry); twelve grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Nettie Holstrom; his daughter, Sharon Tarbett; his son, Jay Holstrom; and other beloved family members. A Celebration of Life will be held in Astor, Florida, on September 27, 2026. Family and friends will gather to honor David’s life, share memories, and celebrate the remarkable legacy he leaves behind. David’s legacy lives on in the homes he built, the communities he helped develop, the countless projects he completed with his own hands, and the lives enriched by his knowledge, generosity, and enduring love. Though he will be deeply missed, those who knew him can take comfort in remembering a remarkable life defined by hard work, creativity, adventure, and devotion to the people he loved.

David William Holstrom

June 24, 1937 - August 13, 2026