John Hollebon
Many of you will have met John at or around the racing circuits. You may
have known him as Richard's, rather loud brother, or as our sometimes caterer,
at the barbecue, or preparing open air feasts for invited guests. What you
may not know is that he was a kind and committed Christian, youth club leader,
and pillar of his local community. John was a friend of mine for 28 years.
His local newspaper say more than I can.
Tears for our Mr Wonderful: May 1, 2003
A father-of-two who died in a motorcycle accident was today described as
a "real livewire", a larger than life character and committed Christian who
had earned the respect of his entire community.
John Hollebon, 45, of Lyndford Road, Stalham, died after losing control of
his Triumph 900 bike on the A149 road. Mr Hollebon was well known in the
town as a tireless community worker who ran the Haven Trust Coffee shop for
young people. He also had strong links with Baptist Church.
His friends and colleagues said they had been devastated by the accident
and his wife Doreen, along with the couple's two sons, Ruben, 19, and Joshua,
18, were still numb after hearing the news. Mrs Hollebon said today: "He
was a wonderful husband and great friend to all the young people in Stalham.
"We are very grateful for all the support we have had since his death."
The Rev Richard Jackson, 58, a teacher at Costessey High School and Curate
of St Mary's Church in the town, had known Mr Hollebon for about 15 years.
He said: "I was very privileged to call him a friend. He was very caring
and generous and a committed Christian. He was a real livewire who was very
popular in Stalham.
"Through his work at the church and with the Haven Trust he gained the respect
of the whole community. He will be much missed and his place will be difficult
to fill. But I am sure he has left us a legacy that will continue well into
the future."
The Rev Ron Skivington, also a good friend, said Mr Hollebon often led services
and preached at the church. The Baptist pastor cut short his Easter holiday
when he heard the news on Tuesday.
He said: "He was definitely larger than life. He was a very generous, open
person and somebody I respected greatly. He had a real assurance in his faith
and had no doubts about what would happen and where he would go when he died.
He became a central character in Stalham, very much because of his work with
young people. He made the Haven unique and John was a unique youth worker."
Mr Hollebon, originally from London, had lived in Stalham with his family
for about 16 years. Before taking over as manager of the Haven Trust he had
worked as a chef and as a courier. He had just started motorcycling again
and was a member of a Norfolk club.
A 25-year-old witness to the crash told police he saw sparks coming from
Mr Hollebon's bike after he overtook him on the A149 on Monday night. The
Triumph then went past him and Mr Hollebon was thrown off his bike as it
hit the grass verge.
John Chilvers, head of Stalham High School, said he knew Mr Hollebon as a
parent, a governor and as the key man behind the town's Haven Trust coffee
shop. A special assembly was held yesterday and pupils took part in a one-minute
silence in memory of Mr Hollebon.
He said: "He was a very special man. He was a very vigorous, clear-thinking,
supportive governor. He was a big personality and incredibly well-liked and
well-known in Stalham. It was shocking to hear of his death. For him to be
killed in that sort of manner was devastating."
The A149 road is one of five routes being targeted by police as part of a
campaign to cut motorcycle deaths in the county.
In the past three years, the stretch of road between Cromer and North Walsham
has claimed the life of one biker and six others have been seriously injured.
Six motorcyclists have also suffered minor injuries.
Mr Hollebon's family have yet to arrange his funeral, but the Rev Skivington
said he expected the church to be filled with people wishing to pay their
last respects.
John's funeral also made headlines.
After all that trying to give up smoking.
Sadly missed, fondly remembered.