We were sad to learn today (August 1, 2025) that Donny Holder passed away shortly before we sold our home in Rumford, Maine and moved out west in 2022. We spent some time with Donny and his twin brother in the 2010-2011 time frame. We invited him into our home because we wanted to help him after we learned that he was going to be homeless. We would quickly learn more about his struggles and to this day we have empathy and compassion for him. We were heartbroken to learn that he passed away at such a young age. Donny’s music reveals the intentions in his heart and it’s obvious with his album Wicked Syndicate – $centsless Behavior that he put his all into the songs and nailed the video he created for the song 04276. Rest in peace Donny.
“I don’t need to be famous… I just want to be heard.”
-Donny Holder, Wicked Syndicate, 04276
We thought his family wrote a beautiful obituary for him:
“Donny Holder, 46, passed away Thursday, August 25, 2022. Donny was born in Staten Island, NY on April 27, 1976. He moved to Maine at the age of 6 with his mother Dawn, sister Andrea, and his twin brother, Dallas. Rumford, Mexico, and Dixfield became Donny’s stomping grounds throughout his childhood, spending a lot of time at his grandparents, Henry and Dorothy Fontaine’s home where family often gathered. During his teenage years, he would make his way to various cities along the East Coast that his father, Dallas, resided in. Although you could take him out of the city, the energy and excitement of the city never left him.”
“Donny was authentic and often the first to introduce the latest hip-hop trends to his Western Maine community. He was a talented rap artist, well known and respected for his music. His 2007 CD, Wicked Syndicate, will be played over and over with love in our hearts for the sweat and tears that went into his songs. Donny was also a skilled mason and an entrepreneur at heart. His charisma and ability to make people laugh was truly a gift to all who knew him. He loved both animals and people of all walks of life, and they loved him. His appreciation for the simple things in life was a blessing in itself, but most of all, Donny was thankful to be blessed with his son, Tyler, who he was very proud of and, along side his brother, Dallas, shared his musical talents with. Donny will be remembered by his loved ones for his many talents, but mostly for his tender heart and for teaching us compassion through his own struggle.”
“He will be missed and forever loved.”
Source: Obituary for Donny Holder
Jennifer and Lee 