Fondly known as Groc, his recent passing was indeed a sad time for all that knew him. I first met Groc in our primary school days, in the Wellington suburb of Karori, as foes on both the cricket and rugby fields before ending up as team mates at Wellington College and forging a great friendship that became a lifelong one.
Groc had many attributes. He was a talented sportsman who was a member of the 1st XI and 1st XV at Wellington College, and while a tough competitor on the field, he always exhibited the highest standards of sportsmanship. Among his other great attributes were his unwavering positivity, no matter the circumstances; a passion for helping others as evidenced by his countless years in sports administration, notably in cricket and basketball; and his willingness to give his time to support a cause or need.
One of his great passions was Wellington College and together with a group of our old school mates, he was a regular attendee to the very end at the annual Quadrangular Rugby Tournament featuring the 1st XVs of Wellington College, Nelson College, Christ’s College and Wanganui Collegiate. The tournament dates back 92 years and has provided our group with an annual opportunity to enjoy some wonderful camara- derie while producing many treasured memories.
In keeping with Groc’s wide group of friends, I salute him for a life that was full of achievement and for all the admirable personal qualities he constantly portrayed. At the same time, I must express my good fortune to have enjoyed a valued friendship over more than 70 years.
May you, Groc, rest in peace.
— Ian Taylor (former NZ cricket selector/manager
John joined the East Christchurch Shirley Cricket Club in 1956 and soon became immersed in the Club with playing, administrating and coaching. He played senior cricket from 1956 to 1982 as an opening batsman and ended his playing days in 2010 in Presidents grade. In senior cricket he formed a formidable opening partnership with Peter Coman, scoring 2,188 runs at 21.88.
John established junior cricket at East Shirley in 1958 and ran the Club’s coaching programme from 1959 to 1971. Under his watch East Shirley were the first Club to adopt the NZ Cricket Have- A-Go programme. Rightfully, during the 2009/10 season John was awarded the Sir Jack Newman award for services to grassroots cricket.
Within the Club he had long stints in important administrative roles. In 1979 he was elected a Life Member and again in 2015 as a Life Member of the Canterbury Metro Cricket Association. Beyond the Club scene John had several terms as a selector for various Canterbury representative teams including the 1975/76 Plunket Shield side that won all the trophies.
Besides cricket John also gave a lot of his time to: Canterbury Basketball, Shirley Boys’ High School, Sport Canterbury, the Christchurch Business Association and all this on top of running his own accountancy practice and looking after his family.
A giant totara has fallen.
— Roger Parlane (East Chch Club stalwart)