Taradale Club

WELFARE

Bob Mason R.I.P. 7/7/10
It is with great sadness we record the passing of a very special "Bowls Taradale" member. Bob joined our club in March 2002 and in that time became known and respected. Not just for his bowling skills, but his unfailing sense of humour. His contribution to bowls has been huge and his passing has left a big set of shoes to fill. His financial skills and fiscal management have ensured that our bowls adjunct is in a very sound position. Bowlers are no different to anyone else and often discuss who they enjoy (and dislike) playing with and without exception one of the first names to the fore on the enjoyment side of the ledger was Bob's. Never stuck for a quick riposte his sense of humour was well recognised and you had to be out of bed early to "get one over him". Many of us have lost a special friend and we pass on our very sincere condolences to Wendy, their three sons, Darren, Steven and Brad and families. RIP.
Craig Ennor

Lilian Baird R.I.P. 14/11/09
Friday 13th December dawned bright but no one could have known the sadness the day would eventually bring. Midway through the afternoon we heard Lilian had suffered a massive stroke and it cast a shadow over the whole club. Lilian was one of those people you could not miss. She had a large band of very loyal friends, she always wanted the best for her club and she spoke her mind. She volunteered her time and talents freely. The gardens around our club bear testimony to her gardening skills, she assumed responsibility for seeing we were kitted out in correct uniform, she was always willing to act as a Marker in Championship Singles, and she served tirelessly on committees. I was impressed with her desire to keep in touch with Club members who were ill whether it be at home or in hospital. The cards and flowers she sent on our club's behalf brought sunshine to those who needed it most. Our club is the poorer for the loss of Lilian.
John McLaughlin

Danny Millar R.I.P. 3/7/09
Danny arrived in Upper Hutt from Glasgow about 40 years ago. He and Irene established a home, educated their four children and became fully involved in the local sporting and RSA communities. Then it was time to move to The Bay.

I first met Danny seven years ago - his strong Scottish accent ensured there was no mistaking his country of origin. He treated everyone fairly, he had an opinion on most issues and as well as being always a gentleman he didn't suffer fools lightly.

Danny was fun to be around. He enjoyed the company of others, he loved a wee drink or two (or three) and he could tell great yarns, many with a Highland flavour. Regular snooker games at the Taradale RSA bore testimony to his love of the game. Here at the Taradale Club we knew Danny as a canny bowler. He loved the tactics involved in bowling and always fought hard to win.

We have lost a very dear and active club member. His unique contribution will be missed and we thank him for all that he did for Bowls Taradale.

To Irene and her family we say thank you for sharing Danny with us. We grieve for your loss.
John McLaughlin

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Maureen Pedersen R.I.P. 20/3/09
Although we knew Maureen's time with us was going to be limited, her passing a couple of days ago brought both sadness and relief to all who knew her. Sadness because we were losing a much cherished friend and relief because her suffering was over and she is now at rest. Maureen had so many qualities that all of us admired. She was patient, tolerant, gentle and humble, she loved people and was interested in everyone, she had a warmth and charm that was infectious, she smiled constantly even when unwell, she was a very able bowler who loved the sport deeply ........ and the list goes on and on ..... and everybody loved her. A service for Maureen was held at the Taradale Club. The presence of 500+ mourners was testament to the love so many held for Maureen. We will miss you Maureen and we grieve for our loss. Pedro, please accept our sincere sympathy and know we are there for you and your family.
John McLaughlin

Bunny Heslin R.I.P. 21/9/08
We were sad to hear of the passing of Bunny. Bunny was a regular weekday bowler, often stayed for a drink afterwards and was always a pleasure to meet and socialise with. He was a real gentleman and we will miss him and his Southland burr. Bunny's funeral service was held in Henderson, Auckland.

7 August 2008
Brian Goffin R.I.P. 1/8/08
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Brian was born and educated in Wellington. With his wife, Shirley, and two young children he moved to Hawkes Bay where he worked in partnership in a drainage company. Later on he was employed by Coca Cola and Richmond Freezing Works.

Brian suffered a stroke at the early age of 42 and for the past few years ill health and the physical frustrations that sometimes beset stroke victims were all too evident.

My association with Brian is very recent but in that short time he made a vivid impression on me. Brian was an able sportsman who set himself high standards. He demanded much of himself and at times this spilled over to those around him. In the last few years his bowling arm was no longer of any use so rather than become a spectator Brian taught himself to bowl left-handed. Fierce determination, regular practice and hard work saw him make rapid progress until he was competing against, and beating, very capable bowlers.

The many mourners at his funeral bore strong testimony to his above-average ability and involvement on the golf course. The Honours Board at Omarunui Bowling Green (14 club titles and two Centre titles) bear similar witness.

Brian loved the company of others and he could often been seen in “The Club” and at the RSA enjoying a beer and a joke. He will be missed by his many mates and sporting friends.

We offer Brian's family our sympathy in their loss.
John McLaughlin

9 July 2008
Terry Christensen R.I.P. 3/7/08
######### There would be few club members who did not know Terry Christensen. Her bright outgoing personality and her forthright manner meant she was not easy to miss. If you couple these characteristics with hard work and deep commitment Bowls Taradale was fortunate to have had her as one of its members. Terry moved to Hawkes Bay from the Hutt Valley in 2000 and within a year she offered her services on the committee. For the next five years she was a tireless Treasurer and even when declining health forced her to throttle back on her workload she still did more than her share. For eight years she gathered a group of volunteers around her and organised the highly successful dinners for the annual Emirates Tournaments - including one only two months ago.

She was also active in the wider Taradale Club community. She enjoyed the company of others and Brenda, along with the Taradale Club Management, remembers her dearly as one of their beloved dinner ladies.

Thank you Terry for the way you touched each of us. May you rest in peace
John McLaughlin

17 May 2008
Bob Gray R.I.P. 17/5/08
I knew Bob only as a bowler but he is best known in the local community as a golfer. Anne Fortune was the celebrant at Bob's funeral service and I am grateful to her for the following summary of Bob's life.

######### Bob was born in Christchurch – 31^st March 1936. He had two brothers , Bill & Jock and three sisters, Barbara, Margaret & Helen. After Bob had completed his schooling in Christchurch, he went at the age of 15 and began an apprenticeship at the NZ railways as a fitter & turner. Bob was a natural sportsman, he enjoyed many sports and at one point Bob was the Canterbury Under 19 Table Tennis Champion, and it was through the table tennis that Bob met Dorothy - Dorothy was from Wanganui and she was in Christchurch attending the Teachers Training College. The story goes that Bob commented to another person at the table tennis “Whose that chick with the big behind?” and then challenged Dorothy to a game. Bob beat Dorothy 21 – 12, and then with a wink said, "let's have another game and this time I will play with my right hand".

Bob & Dorothy were married on the 14^th January 1956, together they raised their four sons – Andrew, Glyn, Rick & Ashley - sadly Ashley died in 1997, so together Bob& Dorothy enjoyed 52 yrs of marriage. As mentioned, Bob was a natural sportsman, he played and enjoyed darts, squash, indoor basketball, ice-skating, golf and more recently bowls. When Bob decided it was time to take up golf, it was less that 12 months before he had a handicap of 12, and at the age of 70 Bob’s handicap was 7. Bob had served on the Maraeanui Golf Committee for over 30 years. He has held the position of Club Captain and President , Bob was well respected and people knew that Bob had the best interest of the club and the game at heart.

Following the family's move from Upper Hutt to Napier in 1961, Bob continued with the Railways until in 1970 he took up a position with the Harbour Board as engineering foreman, then some five years later Bob worked at Freightways, then in the early 1980’s Bob & Dorothy moved to Australia before returning to Napier, where they ran the Bernina Sewing Centre for close to 20 years.

Bob knew that he was blessed with the love he received from Dorothy and the family, the grandchildren and great grandchildren made his life complete, and so today we gather to honour Bob, and pray that his gentle loving soul is this day at peace.
Anne Fortune

11 April 2008
Taken from the Bowls Taradale website
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Miriam Falloon R.I.P. 5/4/08
Miriam Falloon, Ron's wife, passed away suddenly on Saturday 5th April. Miriam had been a member here for several years after moving to The Bay from Upper Hutt. Miriam had not kept the best of health but when you did see her she was fun to be with and always had a smile on her face. She enjoyed her Outdoor Bowls but Indoor Bowls and Mah Jong were important aspects of her social life too. Bowls Taradale mourns her passing and we offer Ron our deepest sympathy. A service for Miriam was held at Beth Shan on Thursday 11th April.