It is with extreme sadness that we have to report that one of our life members recently passed
All of the basketball community’s thoughts are with the family and friends of John Grocott, who passed away on Saturday.
John’s death notice was published Monday:
“The end of a great innings”
Passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 18, 2020, in his 83rd year. Dearly loved husband of Lola, treasured father and father-in-law of Sara and Mark, David and Philippa, Eve and Kevin, and Tim and Lara, adored and fun-loving grandad of Olivia, Simon, Alex, Grace, Anna, William, Kate, Amy, and Ella.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online only to Nurse Maude Hospice. Messages may be sent for the GrocottFamily, C/-19 London Street, Christchurch, 8013.
The Service for John will be held at the Shirley Boys’ High School Theatre, 209 Travis Road, North New Brighton, Christchurch, on Thursday, January 23, at 1.00pm.
John was an extremely affable man, with a booming voice who always put his hand up to help with scorebench, presenting awards, or just watching and enjoying seeing people enjoy playing one of the games he loved
John Grocott gave over 50 years of service to basketball. He was made a Life Member of the Canterbury Basketball Association in 1999 as well as the Canterbury Officials Association (since disestablished). He was also made a Life Member of Basketball New Zealand in 2007. John was recently honoured at the Basketball New Zealand awards in 2018 with a Long Service Award.
Fellow Life Member Piet Van Hasselt summed it pretty well: “John was such a great person with a heart of gold. I’ll never forget his kind words, smile and handshakes every time we saw each other at Cowles Cauldron.
“He inspired me, and lots of others, in refereeing, coaching and admininstration. It was such a great honour to share the success of the UC club as he called himself a “Varsity guy”. CBA AGMs won’t be the same without John there.
“Goodbye John. You left the game in a far better place than when you started with it. Rest in peace.”
Peter Crowhen is expected to speak on behalf of the basketball community on Thursday at John’s service.
