Hollis Warren Varney

October 11, 1954 – October 18, 2026

Hollis Warren Varney, 72, of Rochester, New Hampshire, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026, just one week after celebrating his 72nd birthday.

Born to the late Warren and Dawn (Pierce) Varney, Hollis grew up in Rochester, where his adventurous spirit, mischievous sense of humor, and natural curiosity took shape. As a boy, he was involved in scouting, and during his years at Spaulding High School, he played drums in the marching band.

His love of music continued beyond his school years, leading him to play drums in a band called Velvet Underground. He also loved Harley-Davidson motorcycles, his Chevelle, and the occasional opportunity for a little good-natured trouble. Those early adventures would give him plenty of stories to tell in the years to come.

Hollis spent many years working at Janco alongside Karen and their close friends, Paul “Hippo” Phillips and his wife, Lee. With a natural talent for understanding how things worked and a keen interest in electronics, he eventually opened his own business, Hollis Audio Video Repair. His curiosity about technology stayed with him throughout his life, and in more recent years, he discovered a new interest in ham radio.

On August 15, 1980, Hollis married the love of his life, Karen (Lavoie) Varney. Together, they shared 46 years of marriage, raised their three sons, Brian, Aaron, and Christopher, and built a life rich in family, friendship, and cherished traditions.

Hollis’s love for Karen was woven into the simplest moments of their everyday lives. He affectionately called her “dear,” a word that found its way into countless conversations. Whether asking, “Can you get me a napkin, dear?” or simply saying, “I love you, dear,” it was a familiar expression of the tenderness and devotion he felt for her. Beneath his sometimes stubborn exterior was a man with a wonderfully soft heart, especially when it came to the woman he loved.

Hollis took great pride in his three sons, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him tremendous joy. He treasured time spent with his family, whether celebrating special occasions or simply enjoying one another’s company.

Some of Hollis’s happiest times were spent outdoors. He loved camping with his family in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and treasured trips to a cabin in Errol, New Hampshire, owned by the father of his lifelong best friend, Hippo. Their friendship spanned decades of adventures, laughter, and shared experiences. Hippo and Lee became like family to Hollis and Karen, sharing a bond that remained strong throughout the years.

Silver Lake in Shapleigh, Maine, also held a special place in Hollis’s heart. Summers at the lake became a beloved tradition, bringing family and friends together and creating memories that would be treasured for years to come. He continued to enjoy those summers throughout his retirement, finding happiness in the familiar surroundings and the company of those he loved.

To know Hollis was to know a man who was truly one of a kind. Boisterous, outspoken, stubborn, and unapologetically himself, he had a personality that could fill a room. He spoke his mind, rarely felt the need for a filter, and never missed an opportunity for a wisecrack, often finding his own jokes considerably funnier than anyone else did.

A storyteller at heart, Hollis loved recounting the adventures, people, and escapades that had filled his life. He could bring years gone by back to life with his unmistakable humor and enthusiasm. Yet behind that larger-than-life personality was a nurturing, generous man who was always willing to lend a hand and whose love for those closest to him ran deep.

Hollis leaves behind a lifetime of laughter, cherished traditions, and stories that will continue to be told. His presence will be deeply missed, but the love he shared and the memories he created will remain with those fortunate enough to have known him.

For those who loved him, there will always be another Hollis story to tell, and always the wish that he were there to tell it himself.

Hollis is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Karen Varney; his three sons, Brian Varney and his wife, Emily, Aaron Varney, and Christopher Varney; his five grandchildren, Renee McClintock and her husband, Tyler, Vanessa Varney, Zachary Varney, Caleb Savoy, and Aniyah Varney; and his two great-grandchildren, Grayson and Beckham McClintock.

He was predeceased by his parents, Warren and Dawn (Pierce) Varney, and his sister, Kimberly Varney.

Funeral Arrangements

Family and friends are invited to gather on Monday, October 26, 2026, at R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main Street, Rochester, New Hampshire, for calling hours from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A memorial service will follow at the funeral home from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., after which a procession will proceed to Cold Spring Cemetery on Crow Hill Road in East Rochester, New Hampshire.

Following the cemetery service, family and friends are invited to a reception at the Rollinsford American Legion, 551 Foundry Street, Rollinsford, New Hampshire, to share memories and celebrate Hollis’s life.