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John Hollis: A 'driving force behind a lot of good'
DOZENS of friends, colleagues and family of a hero of the community gathered to pay their respects at his funeral.
DOZENS of friends, colleagues and family of a hero of the community gathered to pay their respects at his funeral.John Hollis died on Thursday, 4 December, aged 68, after a battle with cancer.
There was standing room only on Wednesday (10 December) as the chapel at Peterborough Crematorium was packed with people who had been touched by his life.
The former bar manager of the Bull Hotel in Peterborough was best known for his role at various community and residents' associations, and for his crusade against crime in the area.
The sounds of Hero, the charity song recorded by the X Factor finalists, were heard as the mourners filed into the chapel, before a short service of remembrance was carried out.
The congregation heard how Mr Hollis had dreamed of becoming a jockey when he was younger, before starting a job as a mortition.
He then moved to a job at the Bull Hotel, where he met wife Rose.
He married her in 1982, and the pair lived in Eastfield, where Mr Hollis became involved in the residents' associations, becoming chairman of both Viking Residents Association and Saxon Community Association.
Councillor Graham Murphy was one of the mourners at the funeral, and he said: "John was a foundation layer for a lot of good in the community.
"He worked so hard for 10 years. He was always keen to do his bit, but he wanted to do it quietly."
In his role as chairman of the residents' associations, Mr Hollis worked closely with the police, and many residents spoke of how the neighbourhood had become a safer place thanks to Mr Hollis' efforts.
Sergeant Ricky Passam, of Cambridgeshire police, said: "John was a very active member of the community, and used to give us a lot of help.
"He was the driving force behind a lot of good, and never let us rest."
Lea Ambrose, a friend of Mr Hollis for more than 20 years, said that it was the courage of Mr Hollis that would be most remembered.
He said: "He was scared of no one, and was not afraid of speaking his mind. He made Eastfield a better place, and there are a lot of sad people here today.
"I had known him all my life, and I cried my eyes out when I heard."
And close friend Haq Nawaz added: "He was a very courageous man, and it is testament to him and his work that so many people are here to pay their respects."
Mr Hollis's sister, Joan I'Anson, of Greengate Court, Eastfield, said the moving funeral service had been a fitting tribute to her brother.
She said: "The chapel was absolutely packed, which shows how popular and well-liked he was.
"John would do anything for anybody. Nothing was too much trouble, and if he could help someone, he always would. That is what people will remember about him."
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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