Jeffrey G. Holtzman (Luther) of Fairport, NY, formerly of Greece and Antwerp, NY passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 14, 2021 after a 10 year battle with kidney disease.
Jeff was born to Giles and Patricia Holtzman (Steigerwald) on June 16, 1959.
Jeff is survived by his sisters Jill LaClair (Phil), Evans Mills, NY, Judy Burmingham (Dale), Fairport, NY, his brother James, Fairport, NY, nieces and nephews, Christopher and Jeremy LaClair, Jessica Sines, Kelly and Kevin Ludwig, a former wife Jackie, Uncle Vic (Patti) and Aunt Mitzi (Jack) He is predeceased by his parents.
Jeff had a lifelong love affair with music including many decades with various bands including his pride and joy Luther and the BBB’s. He also was a DJ on the side for various events.
Jeff’s work career included working for Radio Shack, Golcrest Electronics, Summit Electric and Whirlwind Music.
Calling Hours will be Friday 12/17 from 3-6 pm at Richard Keenan funeral home (Fairport Village location) and a Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday 12/18 at 12:00 pm at Assumption of our Lady Church in Fairport.
Comments
28 responses to “Holtzman, Jeffrey G.”
Jill, Judy and James, I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Jeff at Summit Electronics. My friendship with Jeff remained even after we both left Summit. I loved his sense of humor, quick wit and his enthusiasm for music, particularly his music. 🙂 I have so many fond memories of Jeff and how he could make me laugh with just a glimpse or a one liner. I will share one memory: Our boss Ralph, was a no nonsense kind of man, but kind and fair. One day, Jeff was acting like Jeff and Ralph said, Oh yeah, right Jeff, tell me a story…..without missing a beat, Jeff starting singing: Here’s a story of a man named Brady…(the Brady Bunch theme)…everyone in office just howled, it was hysterical. I love him for that memory and so many others. I will miss him, but am grateful he is no longer suffering. I appreciate Jeff being part of my life and I know he cracking them up in heaven!! God Bless you, Jeff, and you, his wonderful siblings.
Thank you, Kim, for your funny story. My sister and I enjoyed it and could very much relate to his antics. He was one of a kind!
So sorry for your loss Luther will always be remembered to me as funny creative a smooth dancer and oh I could go on and on He will truly be missed
Sending my condolences to you Jill and Phil , Judy and Dale , and James . Also Luther Entire family . What can I say that sure going to miss our friendship had so many great times in high school to our class clown you’re now no more pain rest in peace my friend Godspeed
What a loss I was shocked he made many smiles. Thoughts and Prayers to the family. Class of 1977
Luther was definitely one of a kind. We had so much fun in school and he was always cracking us up. I am sure that he will be missed by everyone. I have always thought of him as a good friend. Rest In Peace Luther!
So sorry to hear of Luther passing away. He was a great guy and was always making us laugh. Everyone loved Luther ? He will definitely be missed by all. My thoughts and prayers to his family
“If you believe in forever and life is just a one night stand, if there is a rock and roll heaven, you know they have a hell of a band.” They do now.
My condolences to Jeff’s family..
Jeff was quite the musician & comedian here at Whirlwind where we worked together for years.
Fond memories of his jingles and remember his wanting to write a song called “It’s a Credit Card Christmas”
May he Rest In Peace .. he will be missed
Seems appropriate to mention the song ‘Credit Card Christmas’ can be found on youtube. Not sure the link will get posted in this comment but it is at youtu.be/2FcYhDEJOGk
Luther and I put this version together in the basement on Maple Street. Although I lost touch with him after those sessions, they were some of the best times of my life.
Thank you so much for sharing the song on YouTube. There are so many things I keep discovering about Jeff. He indeed was very talented and loved that part of his life! If you don’t know, I am Jeff’’s older sister.
Luther was a close friend of mine for the past forty years. We first met in the 1970s when he was living in Antwerp, NY. Jeff was a friend of Kurt Brown and similarly, I was close to Kurt’s brother, Ed. Fast forward ten years, Jeff relocated to Rochester and (separately) by coincidence, I relocated to the same Rochester neighborhood, Park Avenue. We met again by chance in the checkout line of a Park Avenue grocery store…and the rest is history. Recently, I happened upon a written remembrance of Luther’s accomplishments in the Rochester music scene written by Del Rivers in 2008. Del remained another close friend of Jeff’s throughout the years. Del wrote, “I still can remember standing in The Mason Jar listening to Luther and The BBB’s. What we heard was a mixture of 1960’s retro rock, combined with early 1980’s power-pop!” “Utilizing rare vintage instruments (Rickenbacker guitars). Thank you Jeff…for all the great memories. You are the best!
Thank you, Gordon!
Thank you for your story, Jeff spoke of you often telling funny stories. He spoke of you as his buddy, Gordon!
Jeff/Luther was in the top 10 of my best friends. I knew him since the 1980’s and saw every line-up of The BBB’s. We jammed and wrote a handful of songs together. I helped him move a couple times. He was always in a positive mood, even when things got dark in conversation or his health. Always good for laughs among his acquaintances. Sorely missed.
Del, Sorry for your loss. I am often sharing those songs produced in the basement on Maple Street and EVERYONE likes them. His talent will live on in our minds forever.
So sorry for your loss ,I will miss Jers Christmas cards he sent me every year ,God bless and rest easy,no more suffering
Gordon, thank you for sharing your story. I will tell you that Jeff spoke of you often with lots of funny stories. He called you, his buddy, Gordon!
Jill LaClair (Jeff’s sister)
Uncle Jeff,
You were always the crazy uncle who let my brother (Christopher) and I wreak havoc with your video camera. You always had a smile on your face, a joke ready to be said and a laugh waiting to be had. I think you secretly wanted to be a film or music video director because you were always walking around, recording people who weren’t paying attention and waiting for that perfect “caught on camera” moment. I’m thankful that you got to speak to me and my family one final time earlier this week over FaceTime. May you rest in eternal peace but ROCK THE HELL OUT OF HEAVEN!!! With love, Jeremy, Keri, Cadden,Cecily & Vivienne
That was very well said and part of his eulogy on Saturday mentions his camera. He loved his nieces and nephews and did make their parents not always pleased with his antics! Sometimes I just think Jeffrey fit in with the kids!
So sorry for your loss. We often speak of Jeff and his antics, He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jill, Jim, and Judy, I’m so sorry for your loss. Jeff will be forever in our hearts. He put up a battle these last 10 years, but he got tired and knew it was time to go with the Lord. May God give you strength during this very difficult time. Love you all
Jeff. I didn’t know you as long as so many others . But I’ll always remember you for the laughs and talks we shared . Peace to you now .
So sorry to find this out…Brought to my attention by my Son John and Dsughter Eisa who both were childhood friendsd of all the Holtzmans whrn they lived in Pavilion, rightd . around the corner from our Farm. Great memories of Pat and her wonderful family. Our sympathy to all.
Lisa completely blew us out of the water by showing up at Jeff’s wake. It was so awesome seeing her after almost 50 years ago of being neighbors. We, too have very fond memories of the Dries farm right down the road. Such an awesome family. It was hard moving from that neighborhood! Thank you for the kind wishes. Jeff is in a much better place with no more suffering!
I knew Luther when I lived in Rochester in the 80s I worked with Luther many many times with many different bands…We became really good friends, We kept in touch through the years… Luther was a pure staple of the Rochester garage band scene…
So sad to hear the news of his passing he will always have a place In my heart….Rock on Brother …
I was very sad to hear of Luther’s passing. I remember how funny he was & always playing pranks in high school. Class of 1977. Prayers for his family.
I had only known Jeff for a short time here at Solstice in Fairport. I always felt sorry for him as I knew that he was going to dialysis 3 times a week. When I saw him return from his session he was so drained out I wished that I could help him. He was very friendly but you could tell that he was in pain. He always spoke and had a smile for me. Now that I read the condolence page I wish that I could have talked with him more and learned of his former life. I do miss him and may he rest in peace.