Homegoing Service for
Hollis Peter John
May 19, 1948 ~ March 25, 2023
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Service Starts at 11:00 AM
(Quiet Hour at 10:00 AM)
Hollis Peter John, 74, passed on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
Affectionately known as “Holly J,” “Snoopy,” and “Sweet John,” Hollis Peter John was born on May 19th, 1948, in Maracas, Trinidad, West Indies. He was the 6th child of the late Arthur and the late Louise John.
Hollis grew up as a pleasant young man who attended San Juan Government School. He was a member of the San Juan Pentecostal Church where his passion for music blossomed. At the age of 20, Hollis migrated to the US Virgin Islands and worked at the Holiday Inn restaurant as a Dish Washer. He committed to making a better way of life for his family and was motivated to become a permanent resident of the USA. Before he knew it, he was promoted to Head Waiter in a noticeably short time.
Hollis met his future wife, Annette Durham, and fell in love; it was love at the very first sight. They met at a taxi stand and became inseparable. The young couple began their family with their first-born son, Brian (deceased), and had a wonderful daughter, Michelle. Hollis and Annette got married on September 2, 1968. Together, they had three additional children, Marcia, Stephen, and Hollis, Jr. (deceased).
Once Hollis was able to return to Trinidad, he and his wife and children migrated to the US Virgin Islands, and then to the United States of America. They settled in Brooklyn, New York and he worked at Brownie’s Restaurant in New York City.
Hollis opened his home as a stepping stone to many members of his family, friends, and neighbors to gain a better life in the States. He truly had a gift of hospitality. If you needed shelter and loved to party, DJ Holly J’s place was the place to be, for he had become a DJ as a side job.
During Mr. John’s later years, he became a successful entrepreneur by owning and operating a NYC yellow taxi. He was a counselor and therapist to many. For those who knew him well, he did not take shorts from anyone, but was a help whenever he could. One of his precious sayings was “You’re not fully dressed unless you wear a smile.”
After living in Brooklyn for 46 years and grieving the death of his late son Junior, Hollis and Annette left their home in Brooklyn and moved to Charlotte, NC. Hollis never really recovered from the deaths of his three sons and started to decline in his health. He ended up in the hospital due to his health issues. Although in pain often, Hollis was loved by the staff and nurses. He warmed the hearts of many during any encounter. His voice was one of command that interested any listening ear.
Mr. Hollis Peter John was preceded in death by his sons Reanold, Brian and Hollis Jr; His mother and father, Arthur and Louise, and his brothers and sisters—Cecil, Hugh, James, Evelyn, Marilyn and Jane.
Hollis Peter John will be greatly missed by his wife, Annette John. He leaves to mourn his children— Michelle, Marcia, Stephen and OJay; His brothers—Irvin, Winston, Edmond, David and Sammy; His sisters—Theresa, Angela, Jacqueline, and Hazel; His grandchildren—Christopher, Chasity, Adrian Jr., Aaliyah, Cyana, Justin, Mya, Amia, Jalen, Sanaa, Shane Jr., Alayne, Kahjyel and Tia, a host of great grandchildren, sisters and brothers in-law, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A wake will be held for Hollis on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Roseboro’s Mortuary & Crematory, 4300 Statesville Rd. Charlotte, NC 28269. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at St. Paul Baptist Church, 1401 Allen St., Charlotte, NC 28205 at 10:00am and the funeral service will follow at 11:00am. Interment will follow the services at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, 1504 W Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262.
The John Family have entrusted arrangements to Roseboro’s Mortuary & Crematory.
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