HERNANDO, Fla. — Joshua Holley had a passion for baseball that informed both his youthful play and his adult career. Raised in the Helderberg Hilltowns, he lived in Hernando, Fla. and died on Thursday, April 3, 2025, after a five-year battle with cancer. He was 42.

“Josh was born in upstate New York in 1983 to Dave and Dawn Holley,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He lived there with his parents and younger brother, Kyle, attending Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School and graduating in 2001. He enjoyed playing, watching, and collecting as much as he could about his passion: baseball. In more recent years, he became an excellent golfer and was lucky to hit the links often with his parents.

“Josh studied sports management at Southern New Hampshire University, graduating with honors in 2005. He then began his career working for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans minor league baseball team as a ticketing manager. After a few wonderful years in Myrtle Beach, Josh moved to Georgia to work for the Gwinnett Braves (now Gwinnett Stripers), the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.

“In 2013, Josh made it to the major leagues, taking a position with the Arizona Diamondbacks major league baseball team in Phoenix, Arizona. He worked as the director of ticketing until his passing. Josh loved the team, his colleagues, and his entire experience at the D-backs.”

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He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Richard and Corinne VanOort, and his paternal grandparents, Caryl and Mattie Holley.

“Josh,” the tribute said, “has a loving family with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.

“The family would like to thank the Arizona Diamondbacks for all their love and support over the past five years. Josh was blessed to work for such an amazing organization.”

Memorial contributions may be made to the Josh Holley Memorial Fund at the Arizona Diamondbacks charitable foundation.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date.