Robert Holycross

Robert Brook Holycross, 76, of Grove City, OH passed away Wednesday, October 15, 2014 in the presence of the Lord and his devoted wife and children. He was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio to the late Ernest and Marjory Holycross. Bob attended North High School and Reynoldsburg High School, plus OSU (Go Bucks!) and Otterbein University. He more recently received his certification of pastoral counseling. He was a long-time resident of Ashville and Circleville, Oh.

Bob was a life-long entrepreneur and jack-of-all-trades, a spinner of tall tales and the tri-state champ of nearly everything. He was also a pilot, Freemason, member of Kiwanis and a Sigma Nu. Bob was the chairman of the board of The Citizen's Bank for more than 30 years. While living in Ashville, Bob and Diana owned and operated the Cardinal Market and the Ashville Hardware, founded Ashbrook Development Company and started Uniglobe Precise Travel in Grove City.
All of these endeavors prepared him for his true calling as Mentor and a Servant of The Refuge. The Refuge is a Christian ministry dedicated to rebuilding the lives of men who have struggled with addictions and hopelessness, helping them transform into responsible men of God. www.MensLivesChanged.org.

But above all, he was a loving man, and a good and faithful servant of Christ.

Bob is survived by his wife, Diana; daughters, Karen (David) Ross, Lori (Mike) Vaughan and Amanda (Brian) Hoffsis; and sons Jim (Mary Beth) and Rich (Bonnie). Bob was so proud of his 12 grandchildren: Alyson (Billy) Smith, Chloe, Sophie and Grey Vaughan, McKenna and Garrett Ross, Andrew and Nathan Holycross, Eli Holycross, Lydia, Bobby and Gianna Hoffsis, and his first great-grandchild, Caiden Smith.

All services will be held at the Grove City Church of the Nazarene, 4770 Hoover Rd, Grove City, Ohio. Calling hours on Sunday, October 19, 2014 from 5-8pm. A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Monday, October 20, 2014 at 11am, and he will be laid to rest at Reber Hill Cemetery near Ashville, Ohio later that afternoon.

The family asks for no flowers, please. Instead, to honor Bob's life's passion, consider making a donation to The Refuge Ministries, PO Box 919 Grove City, Ohio 43213, or through www.MensLivesChanged.org.