Robert L. Hollis, Jr.
2024 "The Ed Award" Recipient
Robert L. Hollis, Jr. is a community servant who sees opportunity where others may see a problem. He is a man of action who brings together people and resources to make Plymouth a better place, much like Ed Santos did.
Bob’s efforts and leadership brought The Spire to reality. His knowledge and commitment have made The Spire a sustainable keystone of the Historic Main Street and Waterfront District and its rebirth. It has been remarkable.
Bob faced the tragic loss of his son, Rob, by helping other families facing the devastation of addiction. He worked to establish and maintain the Plymouth Recovery Center.
He has served the community over the years by giving of his time, knowledge, and resources with his active service on various Town boards and committees, local non-profit boards of directors, as a member of the Plymouth Rotary Club, and long-time member of the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce.
Bob also was a founder the Plymouth Community Theatre.
In addition, Bob has served as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
“In his various services to the community, Bob Hollis has kept what is best for Plymouth a major focus. He has served many by providing his time, knowledge, and abilities. In the tradition of Ed Santos, Bob represents true community service. He remains humble, truthful, a good man and a valuable contributor to the betterment for the town of Plymouth.” — Christine Sampson
Nominating Testimony
Throughout Bob Hollis’ many years in Plymouth, he has been a leader and an asset to our community. Bob started out his Plymouth journey with the opening of Hollis Insurance Agency more than forty years ago. His community service has included the founding of many organizations and his time on a variety of organizational boards including the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce (chairing the Business/Education Collaborative for 12 years), (Town of) Plymouth Planning Board, Plymouth Savings Lives, and as a member, and former President, of the Plymouth Rotary Club. Bob has a strong passion for the arts and has spent more than a few years in community theatre. Bob can never just be a player in an organization though, he can always see creative ways to make something bigger and better. He used his love of music and theatre and created the Plymouth Community Theatre followed by the Spire Center in 2010. The Spire Center showcases music, theatre and dance performances and has become a favorite venue for performers coming to the South Shore Area. More than anything else, Bob is a family man. In 2016 he suffered an enormous tragedy in the loss of his son, Rob. Bob’s first reaction was not to hide in grief but to find a determination to help others struggling with addiction. Out of that tragedy came the Plymouth Recovery Center. Bob was able to rally an entire community behind him to fund the Center. Thousands of individuals have gone through those doors since it opened and many, many lives have been saved and families made whole again. I cannot think of anything more selfless than that. Bob’s acts of service are not confined to the Plymouth community though. Bob has become a snowbird over the last few years spending his Winters in Naples, Fl. He is not a man to just sit around and enjoy the sun, instead he decided to join the Coast Guard Auxiliary and enjoys patrolling the waters of FL, because, why not? Bob’s ability to see a need and fulfill it are unmatched. Plymouth is lucky to have him.
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