Obituary of Bret Alan Holley

Bret Alan Holley, 57, passed away peacefully in his home in Pelham, New York, on April 15, 2023, from cancer. 

Bret was born in San Bernardino, California, on September 24, 1965, and grew up in Brea. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, then went on to work as a lab technician at UCSF and pursue music, playing the electric bass for the band A Different Kitchen. Bret’s passion for science and genetics led him to become a graduate student at Stanford University, where he earned his PhD in Biological Sciences. During graduate school, he played in another band, Primordial Undermind, with which he toured nationally. 

At Stanford, Bret met Yung Lie, and they married on September 4, 1999. In 2002, they moved to New York City, where Bret began an accomplished 14 year-long career in biotechnology equity research for CIBC World Markets, Oppenheimer, and Guggenheim Partners. Most recently, he worked in Corporate Development for Celldex Therapeutics. 

Bret was a proud father to Sean, 21, and Lauren, 18. He shared with them his love of music, sports, travel, modern art, literature, history, geography, and meteorology. He coached them in baseball, softball, and soccer from the time they were toddlers. He was passionate about all sports, especially baseball (Oakland A’s), Premier League soccer (Tottenham Hotspur), and hockey (San Jose Sharks). Bret enjoyed growing orchids and gardening, especially cultivating (and eating) superhot variants of chili peppers. 

Bret is survived by his wife, Yung; son, Sean; daughter, Lauren; brother, Todd; mother, Marilyn Abbinante; and father, Trey. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Donations in Bret’s memory may be made to the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation [damonrunyon.org].