Among those the Wilmington area lost in 2025 were two longtime restaurateurs who helped define the region’s comfort food traditions. Both died in December and have left a lasting legacy for local diners.
One was the founder of a classic fish camp-style restaurant, a spot where fried seafood continues a long tradition in coastal dining. The other used his culinary school expertise to satisfy with hearty favorites like sausage gravy and chicken-fried steak.
The ones we lost: Wilmington-area notables who died in 2025
Steve Holland
Stephen “Steve” Carroll Holland, 78, was a Pender County native and Navy veteran before he returned to North Carolina and worked a number of odd jobs, from bartender to boilermaker, according to his obituary…