At an Aug. 10 memorial service honoring 69-year-old Frederick Holgate, Rev. Riz Carrariza called on the Santa Maria faith community to help heal a family torn apart by what appears to be a senseless act of violence.
“Only by faith will we be able to understand some of the circumstances that have brought us here today. It is the only way to bring some sense to the things that have happened,” Carrariza said before a crowd of more than 100 mourners at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in Santa Maria.
On Aug. 1, Holgate was attacked and killed while going for a walk near his Santa Maria home. Police have reported he was decapitated with a hatchet. They later arrested and charged 20-year-old Nicholas Bendle with the crime. Representation for Bendle has said in court that unspecified “psychological issues” could have contributed to the attack.
During the service, Carrariza praised Holgate’s “goodness of heart” and his ability to trust people.
“He said hello to everyone. … Even that morning he trusted everyone without knowing tragedy would happen,” Carrariza said.
Above all, Carrariza said, Holgate had “a tremendous love for his family,” namely his wife, Ness, and daughter, Dawn.
“Never think you are alone in this,” Carrariza told the Holgate family during the service. “You have your family and the church family.”
Evoking Holgate’s caring spirit as an example, Carrariza asked mourners to think on mercy, compassion, and kindness.
“Let us do something kind and loving today, because tomorrow may be too late,”
he said.
Bendle is scheduled for arraignment on Aug. 18. He is currently being held without bail at the Santa Barbara County Jail.
This article appears in Aug 13-20, 2009.
