By Duane Ranger
The man who took six months off being a commercial fisherman to build the North Harbour Trotting track has died.
Bruce Ewins passed away peacefully at North Shore Hospital on Tuesday (January 17) almost 20 years after his wife, Julie (Ngahuia) died. He was 80.
His funeral will be held at Romaleigh Chapel, 31 Ocean View Road, Northcote on Friday (January 20) at 1pm.
The former president of the North Harbour Trotting Club was born in Scone, Australia. His eldest daughter, Bernice said the family lived in Fiji at the time, but his mother gave birth to him in Australia in 1936 just in case there were birthing complications.
“My Dad was a wonderful, kind, generous man who loved helping people. He attended an agricultural college in Australia and then was a ship engineer who worked on boats from Sydney to Hobart.
“He came to New Zealand when he was 20. He was really into animals and when I was 10 he asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I asked for a pony and that ultimately led to his racing career,” Bernice said.
“He loved horses and eventually built his own tracks with stables and we even had one of the largest equine swimming pools in Australasia,” she added.
Ewins trained 16 winners from 348 starters between 1970 and 2006. He also placed 35 times and won $79,169 in stakes.
Some of his best horses were Interdominion starter Gin Gold (seven wins), Caprock Creek (six wins), Riovander (two wins), and Tansey (three wins).
“Dad was always doing something for the community. He had a huge heart. He was a great cook and used to be caterer at the North Harbour Trotting Club.
“He gave up so much of his time. He had the best fish meals because of course he was a commercial fisherman. I am so going to miss him. He has left a huge hole in my heart,” Bernice said.
“He was an honourable man who trusted everyone. I’m just so pleased he went peacefully. Trotting and fishing were his life,” she added.
Ewins came to Dairy Flat from Albany in the early 1970s.
He is survived by his children Bernice, Wilfred, Karlene, Wiremu, the late Eunice, Donna and Pamela and his grand children and great grand children.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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