Obituary
Versatile South Canterbury sportsman Lawrence Bruce Mussen has died.
Mr Mussen, known to many as Tup, juggled success in sport on and off the green.
He joined the Kia Toa Bowling Club in 1967 at the age of 36.
He had success in his second year, in 1968, winning the Kia Toa intermediate championship singles. A year later, he had double success.
Mr Mussen won the Kia Toa championship fours with Cyril Britten, Bob Smith and Ken Callon, and, at the club’s New Year fours tournament, featuring clubs from all over the South Island, the host club’s team of Bob Smith, Cyril Britten, Jim Gillespie and Mr Mussen took the title.
In 1974, Mr Mussen was involved in all three finals, losing the singles final to David Gent but was successful in winning the pairs with Arnold Cox and fours with Cox, George Keith and Stan Brookland.
A highlight came in 1985, when he won the triples with his son Phillip, and Bob Smith. This was Mr Mussen’s proudest moment on green.
He once again won the fours in 1996 with Pat Day, John Kerr and Ken Callen.
In 1972, he won the South Canterbury pairs with Bob Smith and in 1980 with Ken Callen.
Mr Callen said in those days it took three days to finish the event, and they played the Hatton brothers from Waimate in pouring rain, winning the game on a tight measure.
As an administrator, Mr Mussen was a member of Kia Toa for 56 years and was involved in several committees.
He was club selector, match committee and tournament convener for a number of years.
He was club secretary for three years from 1970, and was president in 1979.
Mr Mussen was a member of the Kia Toa Easter Tournament committee for 15 years with Noel Kerr, John Harper, Bill Beynon and Stan Brookland.
He was awarded life membership of Kia Toa in 1996.
He was involved at South Canterbury level, as a senior umpire and junior selector, and played for South Canterbury for a number of years.
Mr Mussen is survived by his wife Jo (Joyce), son Phillip, twin daughters Diane and Deidre and five grandchildren.
By Richie Kerr
