Tauranga's 'Mr Tennis' Bernie Coleman dies

Bernie Coleman was the "go-to man" at Otumoetai Tennis Club, where he was a member for about 50 years. Photo/File/Joel Ford.

Bernie Coleman was the "go-to man" at Otumoetai Tennis Club and could often be seen riding around Tauranga on his e-bike - probably on his way to the clubhouse he built.

He died on August 18, aged 79.

Bernard Patrick Coleman, known to everyone as Bernie, was born in Hawera on June 16, 1938.

The tennis club where he spent a lot of his time, and which he was a member of for about 50 years, paid tribute to him this week.

Warwick Brew, president of the Otumoetai Tennis Club, said Bernie was known years ago as "Mr Tennis" because he spent all of his time on or around the courts and clubhouse.

"He was very popular in the sport," Mr Brew, who was also Bernie's brother-in-law, told the Bay of Plenty Times.

"He was a good social player who played some competitive tennis, but not at the top level."

Bernie just loved the game and loved being part of the club, Mr Brew said.

He joined Otumoetai Tennis Club shortly after it was founded and later built the existing clubhouse.

Bernie spent time as president of the club, was a life member along with his wife Avice, was the grounds person and was always there fixing things.

When he died, he was the club's patron.

Bernie Coleman was a good social player who played some competitive tennis, but not at the top level, the president of the Otumoetai Tennis Club said. Photo/Supplied.

Bernie was the middle child of seven - three brothers and three sisters - and grew up on the family farm in Hawera.

In 1963, he married Avice Armstrong in the southern Taranaki town, and that same year the newlyweds moved to Tauranga after Bernie got a job there while they were on their honeymoon.

The couple had four children together and Bernie had a long career as a builder.

Avice said the family had been getting great support from the community following his death.

"We have so many wonderful people in Tauranga that are propping us up."

She said Bernie "loved cycling everywhere".

"He had an e-bike, and he used to bike all around Tauranga, and everybody used to say that they'd seen him on his bike."

Bernie used to report back to the council when he came across graffiti, or he would just paint it out himself, Avice said.

"He was just unassuming but liked to help people where he could."

She said Bernie always referred to the Otumoetai Tennis Club as his second home and she agreed that yes, it was.

Vivian Jones, vice president of the club, knew Bernie for about 25 years.

"He's been a figurehead for many years, and wherever he went, people would know he was Bernie from Otumoetai Tennis Club," Mr Jones said.

"He was the go-to man if you had a problem . . . he's one of the original identities."

Mr Jones said Bernie was always at the club.

"There'd be a tournament on; he'd be there. He would turn up to a junior prizegiving, senior prizegiving, tournament prizegiving. He was always there if things needed doing."

He said Bernie was still playing tennis up until last year and wanted to play this year, "but his body just couldn't handle it".

"So it is a sad loss, it wasn't unexpected, but now that it's happened it is a bit of a shock to everybody because it was so sudden," Mr Jones said.

Bernie leaves behind Avice, his wife of 54 years, as well as four children and eight grandchildren.

A requiem mass was held at St Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Tauranga on Thursday and was followed by a private cremation.

There was also a wake being held at the Otumoetai Tennis Club, and Mr Brew said they were expecting a big turnout.

The family asked that instead of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Waipuna Hospice, Station Rd, Te Puna, Tauranga 3140.