Michael (I.) Holzman

Michael I. Holzman, a loving husband and father, entrepreneur, lifelong cycling and woodworking enthusiast and friend, passed away at the age of 55, on July 12th at home in West Hartford, Connecticut after a courageous battle with cancer, in the devoted care of his wife of 25 years, Carmen. He adored and deeply appreciated Carmen, and often spoke of her gentle nature. He was proud beyond all description of their dear daughter, Emily, in whom he nurtured a love of learning, spirit of adventure and compassion for others.

In addition to Carmen and Emily, Michael leaves behind his parents, Louis and Doris Holzman of Lincroft, NJ; a brother, Lawrence Holzman and his wife Elizabeth of Philadelphia, PA; and a brother Andrew Holzman and his wife Rhiannon Woolwich-Holzman of Arlington, VT, extended family and many special friends.

Michael was raised in Lincroft, NJ where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating Middletown High School South in 1977, Michael received his B.S. in bioengineering/environmental engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.S. in environmental engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

In 1999, Michael established M.I. Holzman & Associates, LLC, an environmental engineering consulting firm, specializing in all aspects of air quality permitting and regulatory compliance. Always humble and never judgmental, his clients relied on Michael to guide them through major, complex projects, which he successfully completed in over 15 states. Clients appreciated not only his brilliant work, but also his integrity, dedication and quiet sense of humor. Regulators routinely praised Michael for the superior quality of his work, an accomplishment achieved by few. He was an adjunct professor from 1997 to 2005 at the University of Hartford, teaching a graduate engineering course on advanced air pollution control engineering.

Michael had a remarkable passion for cycling. He entered the sport of bicycle racing at age 11 and throughout his life enjoyed countless hours competing, touring and embracing the beauty and serenity of a quiet road less traveled. As a young adult, he completed a solo cycling tour of the Canadian Rockies, and a 35-day cross country tour. In more recent years, he took to the sport of uphill bike racing, pedaling up the auto roads of multiple mountains in the northeast, including five separate events to the top of Mt. Washington in NH, riding the Annual Flattest Century in the East (TFCE) and bike touring with his colleagues from NTE Energy.

Michael loved the outdoors and passed on this passion to his daughter Emily during many adventures hiking, cycling and skiing. He also loved working with his hands. Not only did he build his own computers, he also renovated their first home in West Hartford, and designed and built shaker-style furniture for their homes. In the community, he often volunteered his talents working with Habitat for Humanity. Working alongside artists within the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Israel, Michael recently handcrafted a wooden ark for the Synagogue’s Torah, which gave him great happiness and satisfaction.

Modest and unassuming, Michael gave his humanity and great talent to everything he did, and his kindness to all those he loved. He was a man of noble character. He will inspire us always.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on July 13th at Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Interment will follow at Beth Israel Cemetery, Jackson St. Ext., Avon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1933, Hartford, CT 06144, Brotherhood of Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06119, or to the Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center, Hartford Hospital, Fund Development Office, 80 Seymour St., P.O. Box 5037, Hartford, CT 06102

Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.