Art Holden's family recently helped him celebrate his 91st birthday. He was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts and graduated from high school in Washington, D. C. Following graduation, he worked for the Bethedsa Naval Armory, in Maryland. He was a pattern and model maker in the gun department for 35 years. His first wife died of cancer after a 12 year marriage and they had one adopted daughter, who lives in Charleston, SC. He was married to his second wife for 46 years. Holden feels that his greatest accomplishment was to be an employee in the civil service, as he appreciated his paycheck and medical benefits. At age 23, Holden started swimming for exercise at a YMCA. The Hutingers met him while swimming in St. Petersburg, FL. At 85, he was the oldest participant in a fitness program, Swim to Key West. He persisted in logging his miles for well over a year until he swam the required 200 miles in the pool. He received a t-shirt, which he treasures, for his outstanding performance. Holden never competed until he joined the mavericks in 1999, at age 88. He previously had no interest, since his weekly routine satisfied his personal goals. Coach Hutinger had three 85+ year olds lined up for the first ever 85+ relays, and wanted Holden for the anchor. Holden agreed, as he wanted to demonstrate that there is quality of life after 85 for those who stay active. His other outstanding accomplishments have been as a member of the 85+ men's relay that set a National record in the 2001 One Hour Postal. In 2002, at age 90, he won his age group in that event. Art lives alone in his home in St. Petersburg, FL, and enjoys tinkering
in his workshop in the garage.

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