Hobe Sound, Fla. – Leslie Warren Holbrook 89, formerly of Whitman, died Wednesday, Jan.18 in Florida surrounded by his loving family.  He was the beloved husband of 20 years to Carolyn (Fraser) Holbrook.

Born and raised in Whitman he was the son of the late Stanley and Gertrude (Mahan) Holbrook and a graduate of Whitman High Class of 1940.

Leslie had attended Boston University for one year before joining the U.S. Navy due to the country’s involvement in World War II. As a proud Veteran of WW II he had served as a 2^nd Class Petty Officer with the Special Forces Land Unit of 25 men. During his tour of duty from 1942-1945 he was involved in the Mediterranean Campaign and had served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and France. This past year Leslie had received the “Legion of Honor Award” given by the President of France, and had recently written a memoir of his war experiences.

After returning from World War II, he had worked many years for his father’s carpentry business before starting his own construction business, L.W. Holbrook Construction Company.  Over several years his company had been responsible for building hundreds of custom-made homes in Whitman and surrounding communities.  He had been a longtime member of and had served as vice president of the Boston Builders Assoc.

During his 60 years in Whitman, Leslie had been a familiar face and was a valuable and active resident of the community. He had served for 28 years as a director for the Mutual Federal Savings Bank of Whitman, and had held many positions for the town including chairman of the Planning Board for 30 years and three years on the Appeals Board. He had been President of the Kiwanis Club and the Junior Chamber of Commerce as well as sponsoring a bowling league and many youth leagues.

He was a member of the Scottish Rites and the Masonic Lodge, achieving his 32nd Degree and was an integral part of building the Tri-Town Temple in East Bridgewater.

He was an avid outdoorsman and huntsman and had served as President of the Massachusetts Trappers Assoc. and had been director of the National Trappers Assoc. for more than 15 years.

In addition to his wife Carolyn he leaves his children Lance Holbrook od Hobe Sound, Fla., Lorna Holbrook of Whitman, Linda Greene and her husband Franklin of West Yarmouth, and Carollee Grindel of South Carolina, his step-children Steven DeLuca of W. Bridgewater, Patricia DeLuca of Weymouth, Robert DeLuca of California, Carrie Buck of East Bridgewater, and William DeLuca of Raynham, and his brother Alwyn Holbrook and his wife Bette of Whitman. He was the husband of 43 years to the late Louise (Goss) Holbrook and brother of the late Keith, Fred and Malcolm Holbrook.

Visiting hours will be held from 3-7 p.m., Monday Jan. 23, with a Masonic Service at 6 p.m., in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel (Route 58 at the rotary) Whitman. His committal service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 24 in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

Donations in his name may be made to the Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997.