FALMOUTH – Ayres Holmes Stockly, 94, died peacefully at his residence in Falmouth on Feb. 9, 2021 with his wife of 63 years, Didi, at his side.

He was born in Wilmington, Del., on March 20, 1926, the son of Ayres Jacques Stockly and Esther Wilson Stockly. Holmes Stockly was a graduate of Friends School in Wilmington, and Brown University ’47, where he spent the first two years in the NROTC. He was a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Architecture in 1953. He was then drafted back into the Navy for two years, serving in the Pentagon in Naval Intelligence. Moving to New York City, he worked in the office of Mies Van der Roche and Phillip Johnson when the Seagram building was their principal project.

On Dec. 7, 1957 Homes married Doris “Didi” Silliman in Wilmington, Del. In the early 1960s they visited and fell in love with Vinalhaven Island. As a result, in 1966 with their three young children, they moved to Maine, settling in Falmouth. At the same time, Holmes established his architectural practice: Stockly Associates Architects in Portland which continued until his retirement in 1990. Holmes’ office was adjacent to that of architect Ted Wengren, with whom he shared a 50-year friendship.

He was a longtime admirer of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Roberto Burle Marx, and Isamu Noguchi. Holmes was an early supporter of Greater Portland Landmarks, and contributed a great deal to the rehabilitation of City Hall Auditorium, now Merrill Auditorium. He also had a passion for French cuisine, classical music including operas by Verdi and Puccini, and old trees.

Holmes and Didi enjoyed many trips with family and friends over the years, but summers spent on Vinalhaven were central to the growing family. Their three children and five grandchildren have all loved gathering on the island.

Along with his wife Didi, he will be greatly missed by his daughter Elise Stockly, daughter Mariana Tupper and husband Ben Tupper, son Ayres Stockly and wife CC Stockly; and five grandchildren, Caroline Eck, Lillian Tupper, Walker Stockly, Savannah Stockly, and Olivia Stockly.

Holmes was predeceased by his brother, Charles and sister-in-law Peggy Stockly of Georgetown, S.C. He is survived by five sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law; and many many nieces and nephews in the Silliman family.

The family wishes especially to thank the team at Hospice of Southern Maine, and caregiver extraordinaire Kathy Oliver for their skilled and compassionate care.

Funeral services will be private.

Please visit http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for further information and to leave a tribute in Holmes’s memory. Arrangements are under the care of Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, Portland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the

National Resources Council of Maine,

3 Wade St.,

Augusta, ME 04330, or to

Hospice of Southern Maine,

390 U.S. Route 1,

Scarborough, ME 04074.