Mr. Brian Holland

THE sympathy of the community is extended to the family of Mr. Brian Holland, who died peacefully at his home on July 5. He was 69.

Mr. Holland was the second eldest of nine children born to the late Thomas and Elizabeth Holland, who lived in the townland of Ballymena, near Ballyalton, outside Downpatrick. The family later moved to Marshallstown, Ballynoe.

After leaving school he had several jobs. He was a labourer for a local building firm and then a landscape gardener before becoming head groundsman at Downpatrick racecourse for almost 20 years.

His love of horse racing shone when he prepared the racecourse grounds for a ‘day at the races.’ He also enjoyed a game or two of darts, a bit of fishing and a lot of dancing.

He was very kind and helpful to family, friends and neighbours. He was always willing to fix or mend anything he could for them. He loved all his family with great affection and care. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mr. Holland is loved and sadly missed by his loving wife, Kathleen, children Mary, Brendan, Jennifer, Angela, Francis and Collette, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers Gerard and Tom, sisters Sheila, Ann and Noelle, and the entire family circle. He was predeceased by two brothers, Paddy and Kevin, and by a sister, Elizabeth.