Hollis's cricket career was extraordinary. He amassed 137 centuries and three double centuries in a fantastic contribution to the game.

He finished his first grade career at age 50 before moving on to become an HRDCA administrator and North Coast selector. Hollis was keen to give back to the game he loved even when he wasn't playing.

He lent his name to the medal which recognises the best player from first grade every season.

Tributes to Hollis flowed on the Hastings River District Cricket Association Facebook page, with many of its members keen to "raise a glass" to him.

HRDCA president Shane Williams said Hollis would be sorely missed.

"He's a great loss to the Hastings cricket community," Williams said.

Williams said Hollis's career wouldn't come close to being matched in the modern game.

"There's no way anyone these days will ever come anywhere near these stats," he said. "These days, you talk about two centuries as having a good year. He had 30-odd hundreds.

"To play first grade up until age 50, that's amazing."

The association will have a card for members to pay their respects to Hollis at its annual general meeting tonight.

Hollis's funeral will be on Friday at 11am at the Innes Gardens Memorial Park Crematorium and Lawn Cemetery.

Plenty of people associated with cricket in the Hastings are expected to attend.

Williams is pushing for a minute's silence at the first game of the 2015-16 season in honour of Hollis.

He was due to float the idea at Wednesday night's HRDCA general meeting.