Joe graduated from Merchantville (N.J.) High School and served two years in the Navy before coming to Princeton. An economics major, he was co-winner of the Bunn Trophy, a varsity basketball player, class treasurer, and a member of Cap and Gown.
Upon graduation he entered the Ford car and tractor business his father established in 1924. During the next 69 years, he expanded it into Holman Enterprises, a diversified company that employs nearly 7,000 in 37 car dealerships, a fleet-management enterprise, an insurance agency, a parts distributorship, and a truck outfitting entity. The success of the Enterprises can be attributed both to Joe’s business acumen and to the respect he showed its employees, whom he called “his people.”
In addition to civic activities, Joe belonged to three golf clubs, where he enjoyed many friendships while continuing his interest in golf, which he first played in high school and then as a Princeton freshman.
Just after graduation he married Jean Polk, a high school classmate. (Both claimed the higher grade average.) Jean died in 2010. Their three children, Jeff ’74, Steve, and Mindy; and five grandchildren survive them.