Jack Passings – July 2023

WEBBER Robert RNZN M(E)1 NZ 15404 2nd Commission ROYALIST 57-58 Joined 5/55 With sadness in our hearts, we announce that our beloved Bob passed on Monday 31st July 2023, aged 84 years, after a short illness. Dearly loved husband of the late Betty, and brother to Richard. Loved father and father-in-law of Rob and Yvonne, Neil (deceased). Adored Grandad of Kazia, Robert, Nicholas, and his great-grandchildren. As per Bob’s wishes, a private cremation was held. We want to thank the nurses, doctors in ED/ICU, and ambulance staff at the Taranaki Hospital for the great care and compassion shown. Published in Taranaki Daily News

ERSKINE, Poiria (Ria) (Née Love). NZW828 WRNZNS Passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, 26 July 2023, aged 92 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Allan. Loved mother and mother-in-law of Takiri & Richard, and Karin & Len. Treasured Grandma of Ra, Sarah, Rowan, Kelly, and Matthew. Loved GG to her 6 great grandmokos. Loved aunty to all her nieces and nephews. On Monday, 31st July 2023 a Tangi will be at St Paul’s Anglican Church Hall, Paraparaumu from 9am to 1pm. A service to celebrate Ria’s life will then be held in the same church at 2.30pm.

MARTIN Robert Commander VRD* RNZN) died peacefully under the loving care of the nurses at Rita Angus on 29 July 2023. Dearly loved brother and brother-in-law to Joan & Brian (deceased, Echuca), Bill (deceased, Wellington) and Ainslie, and Jim & Marian. Beloved elder son of Ernie & Rene Martin (both deceased, Dunedin). A loved uncle to Catherine, Nicola, John, Shelley, Steven, Suzanne, Christopher, Tony, Brian (deceased, Methven) and Hillary, and a loving godfather. Rob very much loved his wider family and friends, and he was loved by them. Special thanks to the team at Rita Angus for their support and loving care of Rob. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Parkinson’s Trust would be appreciated and may be made online at www.parkinsons.org.nz. Messages to Rob’s family may be left in his Tribute Book at www.tributes.co.nz or posted c/- PO Box 14-366, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6241. A service for Rob will be held at the Cockburn Street Chapel, cnr Cockburn St & Onepu Rd, Kilbirnie, Wellington on Friday 4th August 2023 at 2 pm, thereafter private cremation. This service can be viewed via the Livestream tab on the Tributes website.

GRAHAM Harvie Stewart CPOYS J19420 crossed the bar on 18 July 2023. Harvie has been unwell for some years. Harvie served in TAMAKI, PHILOMEL, BLACKPOOL, TARANAKI, INVERELL, WAKEFIELD, TASMAN, WAIKATO and CANTERBURY. He joined the RNZN ON 22 May 1968 and left after having served 20 years on 22 May 1988. Our thoughts are with Jude and his family at this time. A funeral to celebrate Harvie’s life will be held at Dils Funeral Services, 185 Schnapper Rock Road, Albany commencing at 2.30 pm, 25 July 2023. A gathering will be held at The Bays Club, Browns Bay following the service.

HARDING, Richard Lionel. CDR, RNZN. S/No NZD2293, RNZN 41-45. Of Greytown. On 14 July 2023 at Wairarapa Village, Masterton, aged 101. Dearly loved husband of the late Gabrielle, father of John and the late Caroline, father-in-law to Tiz and Hugh, grandfather of Jonathan, Emma, Ben, Tom, Barnaby, Alice and Zoe, great grandfather of Matilda, Carlotta, Louisa, Natalie, Milly, Tessa, Pippi, Lulu, Ella, Olivia, Georgie, Jasper, Freddie, Baxter, Milly and Rupert. Former Mayor of Greytown, retired naval commander, 4 year’s WW2 service. A special thanks to the staff of Wairarapa Village for their wonderful care.
A service will be held in the Richmond Chapel, 10 Richmond Road, Carterton on Friday 21 July at 1:30 pm. Messages can be left on Richard’s tribute page at www.tributes.co.nz

BISHOP Richard Henry (Bash, Richie, Dick) RNZN WO S/No D15459. On July 15, 2023, passed away peacefully at Woodcote Retirement Village, with family by his side, in his 84th year. Much loved father and father-in-law of Billy (deceased), and Tracey and Tim Harris. Treasured “Poppa” of Seamus and Ash; Braden and Caitlin, Chanel and Alex; loved great “Poppa” of Silas; and Juliette. Special thanks to everyone at Woodcote Retirement Village, and Hornby Medical Centre, for the wonderful care and support provided during this time. Messages may be addressed to The Family of the late Richard Bishop, c/- PO Box 39001, Christchurch 8545. In accordance with Richard’s wishes, a private service has been held.

HOLMWOOD, Llewellyn Douglas LTCDR RNZN. S/No NZ17086 Joined as JWTR 61. Passed away peacefully on 14th July 2023 in Whangarei, aged 78. Beloved husband of the late Val, and partner and special friend of Eunice. Father/father-in-law of Craig and Korrin, Allison and Gary and the late Gordon. Grandfather of Raigan, Annaliese, Tom, Jack, Madeline and Levi. A funeral will be held for Lew at Newberrys Funeral Home, 2 Moody Ave, Whau Valley, Whangarei, on Wednesday 19 July at 1.30 pm, followed by private cremation. All communications to the ” Holmwood Family” C/- Po box 5116, Whangarei 0140.

SMEATON, Graham Francis (Smeats). POWEA B20103 Joined 1/71 passed peacefully on Friday 14th July 2023, surrounded by family at Mountain View Rest home, aged 68. Loved husband and best friend of Lois. Loved father and father-in-law of Patrick and Renee, and Rachael and Cade. Treasured poppa of Dylan, Jordan, Manaia, Ruby, Harley, Caprice and Zion. A celebration of Graham’s life will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday 19th July 2023 in the Whakatane Crematorium Chapel, Ohope Road, Whakatane. In lieu of Flowers, donations to the Whakatane RSA would be appreciated. Communications to the Smeaton family, C/- PO Box 2070, Whakatane or online at willettsfuneralservices.co.nz

EARLES, Charlie Lieutenant Commander RNZN Rtd. Charlie lost his battle with Cancer yesterday. Charlie is survived by his loving wife Jean, daughters Catherine and Samantha and grandson Jaxon. Charlie has been living in Portsmouth, UK since 2003. RIP Charlie, a great friend and colleague Condolences to Jean and Family.

BRUCE, Terence (Barge). RNZN 15026 Born September 03, 1937. Passed away peacefully at the Bay of Islands hospital, aged 85. Loving husband of Jo. Cherished father of Sally, Sandy, and Michael. Adored grandfather of Jason, Mathew, Samantha, Thursday, and Isabella, and great-grandfather of Izzy and Kaeli. At the request of the family, a private cremation has taken place.

GOODWILLIE Noel RNZN N20896 POCK Joined 73 Died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, 5 July 2023; aged 67. Darling husband of Ann for 46 years. Dearly loved and cherished dad and father-in-law of Jason, Ulva and Ben Pulemau. Treasured “PopPop” of his mokopuna Tausili, Jahvarn, Rakiura, Kayla-Ann, Vaega, and Maia. Adored brother, brother-in-law, and uncle to his extended whanau. A great man that was well-respected by his friends and colleagues. Forever in our hearts A service to celebrate Noel’s life will be held at Aoraki Funeral Services Chapel, 160 Mountain View Road, Timaru on Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 2 pm. A live stream of the service is available, please email- office@aoraki.kiwi.nz or call 6862148. Messages to: the Goodwillie whanau, C/- PO Box 4091, Highfield, Timaru. Aoraki Funeral Services South Canterbury FDANZ

BURROWS David Ross V17154 Medical CPO. Sadly Ross passed away approx 5 pm last night Thur 6 July 2023 at his beachside home Te Awanga Hawkes Bay, surrounded by his family. Ross was only a couple of weeks shy of his 80th birthday and had been bravely battling his Prostate cancer since 2015.RIP shipmate. A private family farewell will be held this weekend tbc. I am happy to pass on to his partner Nora and family, any messages or tributes from his old shipmates.

BOCKETT, Miles Bradney. NZ12984. Joined 5/49 as OSEA, Korea. RNZN. Peacefully, at Kandahar Home, Masterton, in the presence of his family, on Friday 23 June 2023; aged 92 years. Loved husband of the late Jocelyn (Jo). Loved father and father-in-law of Sarah and Paul. Cherished Grandad of Ben and Lacey and their son Johnny, and Hannah and Matt and their girls Tommi, Cleo, and Neive. Loved brother of Doug, Gus, Ben, Jack, Edward (all deceased), and Vernon. Special thanks to the staff at Kandahar Court for the love and kindness shown to Miles. A memorial service to celebrate Miles’ life will take place at Virginia Lake, Whanganui, on Sunday 23 July 2023 at 2:00 pm with a walk around the lake. Wairarapa Funeral Services www.wairarapafunerals.co.nz FDANZ, Masterton