By Carol Fisher-Linn
Two years ago, we bid a fond farewell to a “fixture” and “icon” of Ellicottville sports, Wally Holland. He left us to enjoy retirement with his family in Chicago, only to return before long to the community he loved. Ellicottville can do that to people.
Wally and his young family came to us about thirty-five years ago from Manchester, England. As a Brit, he grew up playing and loving the sport of “football” as soccer is known across the pond. Participation in sports has been known to drive the direction of so many people’s lives. Wally was no exception. Growing up in England during WWII, he recounted the story of being evacuated during the London blitz and playing soccer with his schoolmates on concrete with a beatup tennis ball. He kept fit and feisty enough that after the war he played for a short period of time for the Manchester City team.
By his own admission, Wally bounced around quite a bit, (one had to see the half-smile on his face to recognize that some of the bounces were less smooth than others) finally landing a more permanent position with the South Africa Cunard cruise lines, serving as a waiter in the First-Class Dining Room on the “Countess,” which was the sister ship to the very famous “Love Boat.” On one of those cruises, Wally met the love of his life (he will, to this day, tear up speaking her name), and eventually (‘a miracle,’ as Wally told this writer) the American woman, Kathleen Goolin, agreed to be his wife. “Cata,” as Wally affectionately called her, blessed him with two sons, Wally Jr. and Philippe. The young family moved to the U.S. in 1989, eventually finding their way to Ellicottville.
Wally likes to tell how there was little interest in soccer when he came to town and generously credits Joe and Adam Delity who started the summer league and officiated and ran the league for decades. Although Wally himself has spent many years of his adult life giving his time and effort to the kids, he is always quick to acknowledge the shoulders he stood upon.
Wally, at age 88 was officially recognized as the oldest soccer referee in NYS and possibly in the entire country. With an “aw shucks” kind of attitude, he will say that he “has been very lucky. The growth of soccer as a sport in Ellicottville owes a great deal to the Delity’s and to Wally Holland. Finally, in 2018, Bill and Adam Delity, along with Wally Holland were inducted into the Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame. An honor well-deserved.
Aside from the soccer field, some of you may remember Wally as the dapper gent who, in his perfectly tailored tuxedo, cared for the needs of diners at the old Ellicottville Inn. Always perfectly groomed and attired “to the nines” he fell back on those old habits from his cruise-ship years, yet he could adapt to whichever environment he found himself in. From cruise ship to soccer field, Wally captured the interest and heart of many local people. Shannon Carscallen from E’ville Spirits had this to say, “Wally is a great, understanding, patient, funny man. He and I would talk about beautiful women, about playing soccer, and how much we love Evl. He’s a man that made EVILLE a better place for strangers and his friends.”
For Wally, now 90, life took a turn when he no longer could safely live on his own in his beloved Ellicottville (his beloved wife, Cata, died in 2002). He is now living in Olean at Eden Heights, 161 So. 125th Street. He has a lovely apartment but his greatest wish is to have friends from Ellicottville visit, share a meal, and send mail. He always enjoys a local newspaper, so tuck one into your pocket when you visit. Perhaps a bottle of Ellicottville labeled wine, EBC beer, or Watson’s candy would bring a smile to his face? He loves apple juice so that might be a good gift to bring (or local cider). Meals are served at 7:30am, 11:30am, and 4:30pm. The facility is always willing to make accommodations if you would like to join him for a meal. Just call 716-372-4466 and let them know you are coming.
Wally would probably really appreciate a day in Ellicottville with some old friends. Perhaps those of you who benefitted so greatly by his generosity of time, effort and caring, might return the favor? A call to the facility prior to such an event is required but one can only imagine how much that would mean to Wally. While the weather is still good, why not consider making his day, perhaps bringing him to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner the Ellicottville Rotary is serving at St. Paul’s on November 27th from 5pm to 7pm, located at 6360 Rt 242 East, Ellicottville?