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A member of the Asbury Park community was fatally struck by a New Jersey Transit train in the early Monday morning hours.

Brian Holland, 37, was struck and fatally injured near 2:20 am Monday at the Sunset Avenue crossing, NJ Transit spokesman Nathan Rudy. There were no passengers aboard the Long Branch bound train.

“This was just a terrible, terrible accident,” a member of Holland’s family said via telephone. “It happened when he walking home.” 

In a written statement, provided by his brother-in-law Sean Di Somma, the family said:

It’s been amazing seeing all of the comments about Brian over the past days. For all of the life he brought to Asbury Park, he brought even more to our family. Brian could always be counted on to help find and tackle the perfect recipe on Pinterest, serve as the family sherpa and personal camp counselor, and spent many hours hard at work as the family choreographer for his four siblings from the Dance Party USA era to the Party in the USA era. His nephews called him ‘Fun-cle’ and his little niece would giggle in the middle of her day just thinking about ‘Unkah’ Brian. We always knew what a gift Brian was to our family and we are overwhelmed, but not surprised, at how many lives he’s touched, how deeply woven he is in the fabric of Asbury Park, and how much his community will miss his infectious smile, as our family will.

Holland, a 10 year resident, was the regional director of employee experience at The Asbury, a boutique hotel and entertainment venue that opened in the summer of 2016. Holland came on board just prior to the launch of the hotel’s Salt School, a hospitality training program aimed at employing members of the local community.

“My heart is broken at this loss,” The Asbury owner David Bowd of Salt Hotels said. “He was such a shining light in the school and in the hotel.”

Holland was among the first to work with the local school district in employing the city’s youth, which included attending an annual job fair at the Asbury Park High School. In June 2016, he was awarded the school district’s Hard Hat Nation accolade for helping to forward a mission of Building a Brighter Future for its students.

“It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we announce the passing of one of our Asbury Hotel family members,” The Asbury wrote in a social media tribute. “Brian Holland has been an integral part of our team since prior to the hotel opening and all of our thoughts are with his family and friends at this tragic time. Brian; you will forever be in our hearts, your warmth will be forever missed and we will all cherish the blessing of having had you as a part of our Salt family. Rest In Peace dear friend…”

The Brooklyn native grew up in Freehold and Wall; graduating from Wall High School in 1999 and East Stroudsburg University in 2004, where he’d been active in many theater productions, according to his obituary. Holland worked at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, with Two River Theater, and for over 15 years at the Atlantic Club.

“Brian gave my husband Steve and I a private tour at The Asbury Hotel when it first opened,” Kathy McHugh Lacko said via a social media post. “I never saw him happier.”

Remembrances immediately began across social media:

Courtney Schroeder wrote: Over ten years ago, I had the good fortune of working an overnight Project Graduation at The Atlantic Club with Brian Holland. We talked all night and soon after Brian brought me on board as his intern at Two River Theater. Brian was one of the kindest people I have ever met. He brought daily smiles and laughter to all he came in contact with: his colleagues, theater goers, friends and family. He just always knew what to do or say to brighten every situation. The positive impact he made on so many will never be forgotten.

David Leidholdt wrote: I met Brian when I moved down to Asbury Park many years ago. He just showed up to help our fledgling theatre company, and we became friends. He did everything for us and did it all well. He was the epitome of light, and fun and hard work. He was all heart and smiles! What started as a simple Tuesday Night Trivia group, Brian and Gary turned into a family. No matter how many times I left and came back to the shore, there was always this group of “Gents.” It felt like home and friendship and fellowship…and Brian was the glue that held it all together, he will be missed by so many people. The world will be a little less sparkly without him. We will all feel a little less without him. My prayers are with his family at this challenging time.

Holland is survived by his parents William and Robette Holland; siblings Amy Lockhart and her husband John, Jeremy Holland, Lindsay Prato-Di Somma and her husband Sean, and Caitlin Holland; two nephews Andrew and Matthew Lockhart, niece Scarlett Di Somma and loving family as well as innumerable friends in the AP Community, who he considered his second family, according to the obituary.

“Brian was a loving, kind, and funny presence who will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him,” the obituary reads. “Brian was also involved in numerous charitable and community organizations in Asbury Park and a parishioner of St. Rose Church in Belmar.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the O’Brien Funeral Home, located at 2028 Route 35 at New Bedford Rd in Wall. A Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Rose Church, located at 603 Seventh Ave in Belmar. Committal will follow in St. Anne Cemetery, 1610 Allenwood Rd in Wall.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Holland’s name to St. Francis Friends of the Poor, or Boys and Girls Club of Asbury Park. Condolences may be posted at obrienfuneralhome.com. 

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