WAYNE — Julian Clifford Holmes died peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, five days after having a massive stroke caused by a blood clot that traveled from his heart to his brain.

Julian was born on Nov. 20, 1930, in Portland. His parents, Cecil T. and Marion C. Holmes, were both mathematics teachers and passed on a love for science to their son, who majored in physics at Bowdoin College, after which he became a scientist for the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, D.C. As an important part of his work, he conducted research on the effects of chemicals on the ionosphere. This led to their elimination from aerosol products. He spent his entire career working at NRL and then retired to Maine.

In private life, he was an activist, supporting worthy causes on many issues, from zoning laws to clear cutting to gasoline additives. He won the Washington Star Trophy Award given to one outstanding Washington-area citizen. The prize, for him, contained a plaque reading “Prince Georges’ County’s biggest Gadfly,” a label he was immensely proud to wear.

Julian married Mary Sultzer, and they raised two daughters with a special flair: his recreational activities included skiing; sailing and racing sailboats; backpacking with tents and sleeping bags and down booties he sewed himself; being an early adopter of the home-yogurtmaking craze; fixing his own, his daughters’ and his daughters’ boyfriends’ cars with highly technical equipment like coat hangers and newspapers; and later, chasing his granddaughters around the house wearing an ape mask and making terrifying but not really ape-like noises.

After moving to Maine, Julian and his friend, Audrey Marra, settled in the small town of Wayne, where they maintained marvelous vegetable gardens and were adopted by a beautiful cat named Ralph. Julian was a true public citizen. He was concerned about peace and justice, media censorship, government corruption, health care for all, the environment, civil rights, and preserving the Maine Initiative and Referendum, to name a few issues. He testified frequently at the Maine Legislature on bills related to his issues, and he supported and joined organizations working on them. He was especially pleased that his efforts helped ban the sale in Maine of MTBE, the gas additive that poisoned Maine wells in the 1990s. He believed with his entire being that a few dedicated activists can change the world! He was, in this sense, one of the most optimistic people ever.

He is survived by Mary Sultzer Holmes and Audrey Marra; his brother, David, and sister, Janet; daughters, Eleanor and Janet; and Janet’s daughters, Victoria and Kristy. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Peter. He leaves behind many relatives and friends who will miss his energy, love and enthusiasm.

At Julian’s request, he will be cremated and buried in Riverside Cemetery in Cornish. The family has elected to delay the burial until family and friends can gather next summer for a memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations to Julian’s favorite peace and justice organization, the QUIXOTE CENTER, P.O. Box 5206, Hyattsville, MD 20782; or a charity of their choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop.

Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.