Obituary – Kevin John Holland

Bowls North Harbour has lost one of its most respected administrators, a past patron and a life member, Kevin John Holland, who died in his mid-80s on Saturday, November 16 2024

A past president of the centre and a former board member, Kevin was married for 59 years to a top bowler and gold-star badge holder, Madeleine, who predeceased him by four months.

Kevin himself was a moderate, but enthusiastic bowler, who spent most of his playing days at the Browns Bay club and then in latter years with Takapuna.

Originally from Palmerston North, Kevin achieved a high rank in the New Zealand Police Force, transferring to Auckland after many years serving in Wellington. At one time he was a senior sergeant in Wellington, where his colleagues included a top rugby player, Pat O’Donnell, and the later lawyer and flamboyant Police Association head, Bob Moodie.

A fellow centre life member, Graham Dorreen, worked with Kevin both at the Browns Bay club and on the centre board.  He described him as “a very intelligent man, with good connections and very thorough in thought and especially the written word.”

Among those with whom he had a close relationship because his knowledge of judicial matters was the long-time head of Bowls New Zealand, Kerry Clark.

“He was a nice guy and a good listener,” Dorreen added.

Kevin’s funeral service will be on Wednesday at noon at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Milford. He will be buried at Schnapper Rock at 2pm and a wake will be held at the North Shore Squash Club from 3pm.

The centre sends its condolences to Kevin’s family, especially daughter Katrina who while a member of the Browns Bay club won a centre triples title in 2009-10 and to son-in-law Mike Cartwright, a prominent member of the Birkenhead club.