John Holer, owner of Niagara Falls amusement park Marineland, has died at the age of 83.
“Mr. Holer passed away peacefully at home, comforted by his wife and son,” a Marineland spokesperson said.
John Holer founded Marineland in 1961. Then called Marine Wonderland it was an amusement park and zoo featuring both land and marine animals.
Many say it was his passion and his life.
In 2006 he described it differently:
“It’s a hobby, I’m a big kid.”
Holer’s background was in wine but according to Niagara Falls Museums, he found working in the circus more rewarding, learning to train bears and sea lions. His venture began with just an acre of land and it quickly grew to over a thousand acres which included accommodations for hundreds of animals along with the Marineland Canada name.
Niagara Falls mayor Jim Diodati remembers the contribution Holer made to the local community. “The man was a pioneer. He started something long before anyone else. He created tens of thousands of jobs, helped many people get through college and university. He put a lot of people in hotel rooms.”
Diodati has hopes it will continue as an amusement park but without performances by the animals.
“The thing I don’t want to see happen is it to turn into residential housing. That would be a huge loss.”
Holer was met with a lot of controversy throughout most of his career.
In 2012 former employees began speaking publicly about the conditions at the park which created anger among activists and protestors. An outspoken former Marineland employee Philip Demers is currently being sued by the park for over a million dollars. He says he had a love-hate relationship with his job.
“I hated the obvious aspects of it but its undeniable the working so close with the animals is a unique experience and it’s not one that I regret.”
Demers says while the loss of Holer is great, it’s an opportunity for change to be made.
“I believe big changes are imminent. Certainly my thoughts are with the animals and I’ll be sure to continue to do my best to ensure that their fate improves somehow.”
Marineland’s spokesperson who did not want their name released, also indicated funeral arrangements are being organized now and will be revealed in the coming days. They said Marineland is taking time to reflect on the contribution of its founder. It is having a good season so far and will continue to operate as it has despite the passing of its founder, Mr. Holer.