Leo Patrick Bowden (1907 - 1978)

Born 31 Jul 1907 in Otaki, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Leonore Jean Jenkinson — married 25 Feb 1930 (to 1939) in New Zealand

Husband of Noeline Merle (Heath) Bowden — married 4 Dec 1938 in Takaka, Nelson, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 21 Apr 1978 at age 70 in Mt Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Terry Bowden [send private message]

Biography

LIFE HISTORY 1907 Born in Otaki in 1907 ^[1], Leo was educated at St Patrick's College, Silverstream.

1920 Competing at a Catholic sports carnival held at Seatoun Park and Lower Hutt.
Altar Boys' Race Frank Owen 1; Leo Bowden 2. ^[2]

His first employer was Van Staveren Brothers Ltd which was founded in 1905 by a noted Jewish Family.

Van Staveren Brothers.

Occupation: Dancing demonstrator and teacher.

1926 to 1927. Wellington Ballroom dancing teacher.

Apr 1928 to 1935. Christchurch Note: Bowden Dance Studio. Ballroom dancing demonstrator.

1930-1936 Marriage to dancing partner "Molly" Jenkinson, ending in divorce. On 25 February 1930 Mary Leonore Jean Jenkinson and Leo Patrick Bowden were married. ^[3]

Wedding Notice ^[4]
HOROWHENUA COUNTY.
(From Our Own Correspondent.) OTAKI, March 29. Mr Leo. Bowden, younger son of Mr and Mrs W. H. Bowden, of Otaki, was recently married at the Basilica, Hill Street, Wellington, by Rev. Father Smythe, to Miss Mary Leonore Jenkinson, late of the Government statistics office, Wellington, and daughter of Mr S. H. Jenkinson, of Eastbourne, Government draughtsman, Railway Department. Mr Arthur Bennett, of Otaki, was groomsman, and Miss Gwenneth Garr, of Lower Hutt, bridesmaid.

1935 to 1936. Ritz Ballroom, 45 Manners Street, Wellington.

The divorce was finalized in Wellington in 1939. ^[5]

1938-1939 He met and married Noeline Merle Heath in Takaka. Wedding date December 4, 1938 (reference needed) at Vera Heath's residence, Rototai Road, Takaka.

Wedding day.

1940-1942 They lived at about 34 Bisley Ave overlooking Tahunanui Beach. Leo was selling life insurance for Dominion Life Office.

1943-1944 Leo and Merle operated a dairy at about 275 Haven Road, living in a house immediately behind it.

They supplied the lunch sandwiches to the Auckland Point school at 111 Haven Road. ^[6]. Niece Millicent Bowden was employed initially to assist with the shop, and later to care for the first born son Gary while Leo and Merle concentrated on running the shop.

1944-1948 They moved to 14 Allan Street, Nelson, where Max and Terry were born.

After the war he returned to being a life insurance salesman in Nelson, then Wanganui, then Auckland, specialising in selling to the farming community.

In 1949 they moved to Wanganui where 4th son Peter was born in 1950.

1958 About 1958 the family moved to Auckland, settling at 35 Frost Road, Mt Roskill.

Leo trained staff at Dominion Life Office in Wanganui and Auckland, then at AMP Society.

He had a life-long interest in horse racing through his family connections. He contributed willingly to charitable causes and was an appreciated fundraiser for Catholic schools. With his wife Merle he gained a passion for amateur repertory theatre, proving to be an accomplished actor and entertainer. In later years he was an enthusiastic player and supporter of indoor bowls.

Children

Leo and Merle had 4 sons

Gary Brian William (born Nelson, 18 Jan 1940)

Max Patrick (born Nelson, 22 Aug 1945)

Terry Heath (born Nelson, 8 Sep 1946)

Peter John (born Wanganui, 11 Nov 1950)

Died 21 April 1978 Mt Roskill, Auckland Cause: Cancer.

ELECTORAL ROLLS 1938 Bowden, Leo Patrick, Telegraph Hotel, Takaka, Company representative.^[7]

1942 BALLOT Bowden, Leo Patrick, Insurance Manager, Bisley Ave, Tahunanui, Nelson, ^[8]

1944-1948 14 Allan Street, Nelson

ELECTORAL ROLLS 1946 Bowden, Leo Patrick, (Storekeeper) 14 Allan Street and Noeline Merle^[9]

1949 Bowden, Leo Patrick (Insurance representative) and Noeline Merle, 6 Bristow St, Wanganui.^[10]

1957 Bowden, Leo Patrick (Assurance manager) and Noeline Merle, 6 Bristow St, Wanganui ^[11]

1969 Bowden, Leo P. (Insurance rep) and Noeline Merle (married) and Peter J. (clerk) 35 Frost Rd ^[12]

1972 Bowden, Leo P. (Insurance rep) and Noeline Merle (married) and Peter J. (clerk) 35 Frost Rd. ^[13]

Burial
Leo and Merle are buried at the Mangere Lawn Cemetery, Lawn Raised Plaque South, Row B10Y, Plot 116

Will ^[14]
His will dated 27 March 1978 appointed sons Terence Heath Bowden, computer systems engineer, and Peter John Bowden, insurance officer, as executors, and was witnessed by Maida Couper, his sister-in-law. Probate was granted on 4 May 1937.

Sources

• Personal history
• paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
• NZ Births, Deaths, Marriages register
• Dance exhibitions, Mr & Mrs Bowden, 1931

1. ↑ NZBDM births 1907/21066 Bowden Leo Patrick Mary Catherine William Henry
2. ↑ 28/12/1920 SEATOUN AND LOWER HUTT Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 154, 28 December 1920, Page 4
3. ↑ NZBDM marriages 25/2/1930 1930/410 Mon (sic) Leonore Jean Jenkinson, Leo Patrick Bowden
4. ↑ Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 105, 31 March 1930, Page 3
5. ↑ Wellington divorce files Bowden, Mary Leonore Jean v Bowden, Leo Bowden 1938 - 1939 Wellington High Court
6. ↑ History of Auckland Point School 1927-1974)
7. ↑ New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 for Leo Patrick Bowden 1938 Tasman Motueka
8. ↑ New Zealand, World War II Ballot Lists, 1940-1945 for Leo Patrick Bowden 1942 June
9. ↑ New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 for Leo Patrick Bowden 1946 Nelson
10. ↑ New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 for Leo Patrick Bowden 1949 Manawatu-Wanganui Wanganui
11. ↑ New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 for Leo Patrick Bowden 1957 Manawatu-Wanganui Wanganui
12. ↑ New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 for Leo P Bowden 1969 Auckland Roskill
13. ↑ New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 for Leo P Bowden 1972 Auckland Roskill
14. ↑ Will of Leo Patrick Bowden