Condolences are pouring in for a highly regarded British teacher who passed away from a heart attack last Thursday, leaving behind a legacy of educational excellence and warm presence.
British national John Holmes died at his home in Hamala last week, aged 68, after having spent more than 14 years in the kingdom.
“My husband was a fun and genuinely nice person to whom people were always drawn,” his wife Sharon Colgrave-Holmes, 62, told the GDN.
“He was especially adept at his job and working with autistic children, knowing how to manage their needs and ensure their success.”
Born in the UK, Mr Holmes completed a master’s degree in special needs education, and began working in Bedfordshire, where he met Sharon.
After being together for 12 years, Mr Holmes and Ms Colgrave married in 2011, shortly before moving to Bahrain.
Together, they raised their daughter Matilda, now 24.
Mr Holmes also has a son, Alex, now 39, and Ms Colgrave has a son, Ashley, and daughter Lucy, now 35 and 32 respectively, from previous relationships.
In Bahrain, Mr Holmes initially worked at The Children’s Academy, before moving to the British School of Bahrain in 2015.
He taught drama and English literature, working with autistic and special needs children.
“I met John and his wife Sharon, when he was teaching at The Children’s Academy, shortly after they moved to Bahrain - they were my neighbours,” family friend Natalie Scott, 46, who now lives in Lincolnshire, told the GDN. “He will be sorely missed – he was kind, knowledgeable and a highly regarded talented teacher.
“Beyond his work, both him and Sharon were incredibly supportive through my divorce.
“His birthday was on New Year’s Day so for the last 10 years, we all spent New Year’s together.
“We would frequent the Dilmun Club and had some unforgettable moments there.
“My children called him Uncle John.
“His last message to me was a six-minute voice note, where he spoke of getting old.”
In 2024, Mr Holmes returned to the UK after retiring, even buying a cottage in Lincolnshire, before deciding to return to Bahrain, since his wife was still working here, according to Ms Scott.
Although he planned to retire in the UK, fate had other plans.
The couple, Mr and Mrs Holmes, had discussed the difficult topics well before he died, and decided that in case he died, his wife shouldn’t have to go through the process of getting the body repatriated.
Instead, Mr Holmes will be cremated at the open-air Hindu crematorium in the coming days, and his ashes will be scattered at his home in North East Lincolnshire, near Cleethorpes and Humberston.
Mrs Colgave-Holmes added that a wake to celebrate his life will be organised in the coming days at the restaurant in their residential community, with details made available to friends and family.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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