Obituary: Former Newtownabbey politician David 'Davy' Hollis remembered for his ‘boundless energy and enthusiasm’

The former unionist politician, community leader and charitable fundraiser died on March 26 at the age of 79.

For almost 50 years, Mr Hollis had been a well-regarded personality in his hometown and beyond through his tireless campaigning on a host of issues, as prolific charity volunteer, and numerous community endeavours. Universally known as down-to-earth “Davy”, he was widely recognised for his boundless energy and enthusiasm, and as someone who always aimed to drive transformative change. However, he was never one who sought kudos for his work and many achievements.

Born in October 1946, David Hollis grew up in Whitehouse, which became an integral part of the new municipality of Newtownabbey where he would ultimately become a leading light. His family were one of the first residents of the newly-built Rathcoole housing estate in the early 1950s, accordingly taking up residence at Ardgart Place.

A mechanical engineering graduate, he sought a career in the British Merchant Navy, in time rising to the rank of Engineer Officer.

His foray into political office occurred when he was elected as a DUP councillor for the Doagh Road ward on Newtownabbey Borough Council in May 1985. His running mate in the election was then prominent DUP chief whip Jim Allister who was also elected.

Getting to represent his beloved Whitehouse gave David Hollis an immense sense of pride. He also took his place in the remarkable pantheon of Rathcoole residents who have been elected to local government.

Two years later, however, he resigned from the DUP when party colleague Jim Allister was blocked by party leader Dr Ian Paisley from contesting the East Antrim parliamentary constituency in the 1987 general election. Paisley decided to adhere to the pact formed with Ulster Unionist Party leader James Molyneaux following the signing of the November 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement. In the end, Jim Allister left politics to return to the legal profession, while Hollis and a group of like-minded colleague formed the short-lived Independent DUP.

Years later, following a sojourn as an Ulster Unionist Party councillor, Mr Hollis politically reunited with his friend Jim Allister for a second time when Allister formed his own party, Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV). Allister, who came back into pro-Union politics after a 17-year pause, was the DUP's Euro MP. However he resigned from the party over Dr Paisley's decision to share power with republicans.

Subsequently, in 2014, David Hollis was elected to serve on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council as TUV representative for his home turf Macedon DEA. He remained in the post until 2019. During his tenure he served on the Audit, Planning and Consultation and Policy and Governance committees.

During his long political career as an elected representative, David Hollis concerned himself with many imperative local issues, including housing, education and health. He also spoke out on built heritage and natural heritage conservation matters.

His many causes included maintaining A&E services at Whiteabbey Hospital. He also vehemently opposed Newtownabbey Borough Council's controversial plan to turn the picturesque Hazelbank parkland on the northern shoreline of Belfast Lough into its new headquarters with a civic centre, hotel complex and marina.

Throughout the years, David Hollis served as chairperson, vice chairperson, board member and governor on a host of organisations. They include Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, Citizens Bureaux Newtownabbey branch at the Dunanney Centre, Rathcoole, North-Eastern Education and Library Board, Ulster University, Northern Regional College, and Northern Health and Social Services Council.

For 21 years, he was chair of Hill Croft School in Newtownabbey, as well as served on the board of governors of Abbots Cross Primary and Newtownabbey Community High schools. In addition, he led the Rathcoole Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership.

In 1998, David Hollis was a member of the Rathcoole Leisure Plan Working Group, which was set up by Newtownabbey Borough Council to oversee a £1 million project to build football pitches, a pavilion, amphitheatre, landscaping and a path network at the forlorn football pitch in the heart of Northern Ireland's largest public housing estate.

One of his last roles was chair of the purely cross-community Shared History Group based in the White City community hub on the Belfast and Newtownabbey boundary. The group brought together people from Whitewell, Greencastle, Bawnmore, Longlands, Merville Garden Village, Rathcoole and Glengormley.

His charitable fundraising work with the RNLI was particularly close to David Hollis’ heart. This was naturally due to his seafaring years in the Merchant Navy. He was the prime mover behind the establishment of the Newtownabbey branch of the charity, and was its foundational chairperson.

In June 2000, after countless years of dedicated fundraising and campaigning, he was officially acknowledged at national level when he received the prestigious Certificate of Thanks accolade from Alison Saunders, chair of the UK-wide RNLI Fundraising Committee.

On a personal level, away from the public spotlight, Mr Hollis and his wife fostered countless children for many years to proffer them compassion, beneficence, domesticity, stability, as well as instill a sense of meaning and purpose into their lives.

He is survived by his wife Sarah, children Mark, Jill, Lisa and Debbie, his grandchildren Taylor, Josh, Abbie and Eva, great grandchildren Archie and Lylah, and his sister June. He was preceded in death by his daughter Kelly who passed away in November 2019. A celebration of his life was held at Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium on Thursday, April 2.