W.Adam "Abi" Holley

W. Adam Holley, 32, Clarks Summit, peacefully left his mother's loving arms and entered the Lord's beautiful kingdom into the waiting arms of Jesus on Feb. 8.Adam was born in Scranton on Aug. 4, 1982.

He was the remarkable son of Sandee (Wrobel) and Jerry Phillips of Clarks Summit and Bill and Hope Holley of Dade City, Fla.

Adam, known as Abi, was a graduate of Jefferson Center in Dunmore and attended St. Joseph's Center Day Program since 2004. He looked forward to spending wonderful times with his "princess" Chrissy. He attended Parker Hill Community Church in Clarks Summit, enthusiastically participating in guest services, greeting all who entered. Church was always a special place, sitting up front praising God, literally rocking in his wheelchair to the worship music. He also loved going to Parker Hill Kidz Jam every month for an exciting night of praise.

Abi lived life to the best of his abilities, playing on the Betty Bellantoni Challenger Little League since 1992, very happy to have his daddy, "Coach Jerry," pitching to him and all his friends, which made baseball so much fun. The highlight of baseball was when his team went to play in the Williamsport Little League World Series in 2009. Abi also threw out the first pitch to Greg Legg at a Red Barons game. He also participated in the Lackawanna Soccer Challenge, Fort Indiantown Gap Sports Jamboree for disabled children, Abington Youth Soccer League and Special Olympics.

In 2005, Adam was pinned with sergeant stripes, giving him the honorary title of Gunnery Sergeant, by the Northeastern Detachment Marine Corps League on the 230th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. His love for the Marines was instilled in him by his best friend and grandfather, Frank A. Wrobel Jr., in which he had a truly, instinctively inseparable bond, who taught him to be tough and brave as a Marine through his challenging life, saluting the American flag and any soldier or veteran he saw. Adam's list of important things which he loved were board games, ripping magazines, doing jigsaw puzzles and wearing and passing out stickers to everyone he met. Disney World visits were his most special vacations. He loved watching Lion King, going to movies, playing video games with his brother, Zyga, with whom he had an undefinable connection.Abi thoroughly thrived by being around his family. His whole being "lit up" when attending weekly Sunday family dinners, C.S. Memorial Day and Tunkhannock parades, times at the pond, the cottage, Buffalo outings and "every" party.

Adam leaves behind and will be deeply missed by his siblings, Silvia and Zyga Phillips, at home; Ryan Holley, Georgia; and Britton Holley, Florida; his grandparents, Lois Wrobel and Robert and Hope Phillips, Clarks Summit; aunts, uncles, cousins, many friends and his loving girlfriend, Chrissy Carson.

He was preceded in death by his special buddy, maternal grandfather, Frank A. Wrobel Jr.; and cousin, Michael Straka Wrobel.

His family would like to thank Dr. Dennis Kondash, Dr. Louis Kareha, Dr. John Marks, St. Joseph's Center staff and the fabulous staff at Hospice of the Sacred Heart.

Adam lived his life exactly as Jesus taught us to live. In memory of the beautiful, unique gift Adam was to us all, please do something truly loving and think of him. Adam touched our hearts with a smile, but never spoke a word!

The funeral with military honors will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Parker Hill Community Church, Clarks Summit Campus. The church will be open at 10 am for guests. Burial will be private at St Adalbert's Polish National Catholic Cemetary, next to his Papa.

Friends may call on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit.

Memorial Donations may be made to Betty Bellatoni Challenger Little League, P.O. Box 100, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, or St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.