A former club president and Life Member of Whakatane Town, John Bowden, has died, aged 81.
Paying tribute to him, the club shared its condolences with John’s wife Anna, a former club secretary, and the Bowden family.
“During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Have some peace, John,” the club said.
“Many thanks for everything you’ve done for the football team in Whakatane Town.”
The Bowdens emigrated from the United Kingdom to New Zealand in the late 1960s, and he joined Whakatane Town as a player.
Teammate and fellow Life Member John Pullar said Bowden made a significant contribution to the team.
“John’s personality could be split in two ways at any given moment,” Pullar recalled.
“Outside of the game, he was the epitome of a true gentleman. On the playing field, nothing short of a tiger.”
He said Bowden was accomplished as a player and coach.
“Personally, I picked up a lot of useful information from him. Someone who is a very skilled reader of the game.”
John and Anna Bowden played a big part in the club’s construction of its clubrooms.
Bowden arrived in New Zealand as a skill auto mechanic and later worked as a fitter before co-found a business, Volvo Engineering.
A funeral service was held for John Bowden at the Church of St George and St John on Friday November 18.
Main photo and below: John and Anna Bowden.
John Lawson McDonald Bowden (1941 — 2022)
The following notice has appeared:
BOWDEN, John Lawson McDonald. On Sunday 13th November 2022, peacefully at Golden Pond Private Hospital; aged 91. Dearly loved husband and best friend of Anna for 56 years. Cherished father of Elaine and Craig, father-in-law of Joe and loved granddad and best mate of Joe and Alex. He will be greatly missed. With love and sincere thanks to the staff of Golden Pond for everything they did for John. Communications to the Bowden Family, C/- PO Box 2070, Whakatane 3159.
Obituaries
Through the publication of obituaries, Friends of Football tries to recognise the loss of those who have significantly contributed to our game.
