SNZ Life Member Colin Kennedy Passes Away

It is with great sadness that Swimming New Zealand announces that Life Member Colin Kennedy passed away last night.

Colin Kennedy was heavily involved with swimming for 55 years in various capacities.

At a club level Colin taught, coached, administered, and officiated over a 50 year period.

His involvement with the Palmerston North/Manawatu region involved swimming at all levels. He held every administrative position within the Manawatu swimming centre and he taught children and adults how to swim, as well as coaching competitive swimmers. He was also the most experienced and knowledgeable technical official in the Manawatu.

Colin held every position on the executive while at the same time holding the highest technical officials grading – A grade referee. Even after over 40 years in the sport he continued to be involved on several sub committees.

At a national level Colin was a regular face at national competitions, either as a technical official or meet director. Every year he attended at least one national fixture, as well as being an active member of the New Zealand technical committee.

In 1974 Colin was an Inspector of Turns at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch and in 1990 he was a Chief Inspector of Turns at the Auckland Commonwealth Games.

Colin’s recognition awards include:

1964 Manawatu Service Award
1969 Life Member West End Swimming Club
1974 New Zealand Service Award
1977 Honours Bar to the Manawatu Service Award
1982 Life Member Manawatu Swimming Centre
1985 Honours Bar to the New Zealand Service Award
1997 Palmerston North Civic Award – for services to swimming. (The first swimming volunteer to receive this prestigious local award)
2000 Life Member of Swimming New Zealand

Funeral notice from the Manawatu Standard below.

KENNEDY, Colin Allan (Red), of Palmerston North. - On July 9, 2013, at his home, aged 86. Devoted husband of the late Trudy, much loved father of Allan, Jeff and John, a dear grandad for Shaun, Melinda, Mia, Reuben, Izak and Rex. A special thanks to the staff and residents of Olive Tree Village for their kindness and care. Messages to Kennedy family C/- PO Box 5191 Palmerston North 4441, or may be left at www.robertjcotton.co.nz. A service will be held at Terracehaven Chapel, 697 Main Street, Palmerston North, on Saturday, July 13, 2013, at 10.00am.