Terrence John Holden passed away on October 11, aged 87 years, and will be remembered as a man who dedicated most of his life to the St Patrick's Club.

A stalwart of the Blue and Whites, Terry's recent funeral at The Assumption Church was filled to overflowing with family, friends and, of course, St Patrick's devotees across several generations.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years Irene, sons Paul and Chris and daughter Anne as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Terry Holden, affectionately known as TJ, was born in Sydney on April 26, 1932, the second son of Philomena Claire and John Eveleigh Holden. He joined big brother Tony and was followed by brother Brian and sister Maree.

His parents moved back to Bathurst when he was two years old, as father Jack (a warder with corrective services), took up position with Bathurst jail.

Terry attended Saint Patrick's De La Salle School at that time on the corner of Keppel and George Street, achieving his intermediate certificate, and soon entered St Columba's Seminary at Springwood to begin the long journey to priesthood. It was not be.

In 1949 he began an electrical apprenticeship, with Don Wilson, who was a local contractor. It became his passion to be the best he could in his trade, and indeed in any task he chose to undertake.

He was proud and delighted when his eldest son Paul, and later grandsons Sam and then Anthony, followed in his footsteps.

Don retired to Sydney and Terry gained employment as a prison warder following in his own father's footsteps.

He soon realised he wasn't suited to be a prisons officer and gained employment with the Commonwealth Department of Works until June 11, 1963 when he began his long career with Southern Mitchell County Council, first as a customer service fitter (electrician), then to rural utilisation officer and lastly as a technical officer and customer advisory officer attached to the showroom in Russell Street.

In 1951 his future wife Irene, arrived in Bathurst to begin nursing training at St Vincent's Hospital. They were married in December 1955 following Irene's graduation as trained nurse.

Paul, Chris and Anne arrived and occupied their lives, and continue to do so with the addition of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His world revolved around his family and an as soon as possible his children were introduced into the St Pat's ethos, which was so much a part of Terry's being.

He was an ardent and devoted member of St Pat's club from its inception in 1944 and was devoted to Rev Father and later Monsignor Leo Grant, remaining great friends until his death.

Paul, Chris and Anne, in turn began their sporting lives with cricket, soccer and eventually hockey. The last because of the fortuitous arrival of Glen Fulton as a neighbour.

The whack whack of the hockey stick in the next door yard soon drew the boys to the fence, and Glen took no time getting them involved in the game in which they excelled. Both played district and first grade games over several years and Chris as an under 15 NSW state touring member.

Pint sized Anne joined her brothers (all three as goalkeepers) protected by cricket pads and helmet, winning five consecutive first grade finals in her career.

Terry had played hockey at St Columba's seminary so took up the game again, playing with St Pat's Browns and began his association with the hockey club whose members have become so dear to him.

He became TJ, and a fixture at both men and women's games and eventually, as Wayne Wright insists, became a legend.

When age and ill health became a problem, he was collected by his St Pat's boys to attend matches, in all weather and venues, transported in style, tended carefully and returned in good order and condition (mostly) to Irene. That continued until this last premiership, and he saw his team win one last time in Orange.

Terry was a lover of rugby league and followed St Pat's. He was over the moon with the first premiership win in 1968. He worked as a member should, to support his club, fostering the game and club devotion, in particular the St Pats Junior Football.

He was secretary of the undefeated Under 18s in 1969 but, above all, he was a cricket tragic. He played cricket briefly, but it was not his forte.

He became an umpire when neighbour Jim Pratley, a cricket stalwart of old, began a series of classes training like-minded lovers of the game in the art of umpiring, as a means of fostering the game in Bathurst.

He umpired first grade games in Bathurst for several years and was secretary treasurer of the umpire association. Every match was important to him, especially the St Pat's games, but one stood out and that was the first Country Toohey's Match in Orange, which he umpired with past Australian cricket captain Bobby Simpson.

Involvement in hockey at this time necessitated that he move away from cricket. Terry was president of both of his beloved clubs - hockey and cricket, and life member of both and St Pat's Sporting Club.

The disbanding of St Pat's club into three separate units did not go well with Terry.

In the early 1980s it became possible because of circumstances within the local rugby league group that that dream could be realised. With people such as Neville Dawson, a committee was formed, the process began and the dream came to fruition.

He wrote the history of the club, gathering memorabilia, reports and anecdotes to present to the licensing board, which he and Neville did successfully. For Terry, that was such a cherished moment in his life.

Land, finance became available and the St Pat's sporting club slowly arose. The first line of bricks aligned with the river was laid by him, under the tuition of Vince Muldoon. It stood for him as one of the highest honours.

Terry was a genuine man. Happy, social, quirky, loving dad and husband, proud of his achievements, loved and respected by all who knew him.