PASSIONATE about family, community and his roses, father, grandfather and great grandfather Garry Holden will always be remembered by the ones he touched dearly.
Living in Warburton for the past 44 years, Garry Holden died at the age of 71 on 3 August earlier this month. Born in Seville on 16 September in the earlier 40s, Garry was son to farmer Edward and sibling to Lynette, Brian and Paul.
Following the death of his father, Garry and his siblings relocated to their grandparents’ farm in Wandin East.
Leaving school at 11 years of age, Garry went to work on his grandparent’s farm where he, his siblings and aunties raised and nurtured the land to turn out a variety of fruits and vegies sold at the local market.
He was always a hard worker, dedicated to the family farm but committed himself to extra work, picking beans at a neighbouring farm to have the money to buy a Grey Fergie tractor which he valued dearly.
While working on the farm, Garry met the love of his love – his wife Jane.
Jane had three sons- Stephen, Peter and John who Garry loved as his own. Then came along their next two children, Michael and Megan followed by their younger siblings, Ann and James born in Warburton East where the family stayed ever since.
Garry was an active member of the community, involved in the local School Council, Chamber of Commerce, the Liberal Party and the Melbourne Christian Fellowship Church for over 50 years.
His commitment to the community did not go unrecognised, having received the Australia Day Citizen Award by Upper Yarra Shire in 1987. A favourite memory of his, the award was displayed with pride in his hallway at home.
Sport was one of Garry’s loves, following the Richmond Tigers and cricket with feverish spirit.
But it was his love for fishing that has etched a permanent memory in his children’s mind. They recalled Garry often calling, “get the rods, we are going fishing” before they headed off to Woori Yallock Creek to fish blackfish and eels.
Garry always had a big heart, opening his home to children who were struggling at school or needed a safe place to stay.
Some became workers at the family business, some still visit the family home now but all had one thing in common: a deep appreciation for Garry’s care in their time of need.
In his later years, Garry became addicted to roses. A proud member of the Rose Society of Victoria, Garry loved spending his time pruning, growing and planting thousands of rose bushes for the enjoyment of others. At the age of 71, Garry was the father of seven children, grandfather to 15 and a very proud great grandfather to seven, who along with his extended family and friends will miss him dearly.
Garry Holden was given a warm farewell by his loved ones at Heritage Pioneers Chapel, Woori Yallock on Thursday 7 August.
