Jack Passings – December 2023

DUNN, Ropata Howard (Bob) POCK R18431 Joined 1/65 12.9.47 – 31.12.23. Aged 76. Passed away peacefully at home in Broad Bay Dunedin, formerly of Greytown. Much loved husband to Laurel, father to Wendy and Susan Dunn (Dunedin) and father/father-in-law to Steve and Penny Dunn (Motueka). Much loved koro Bob to Georgia, Matty and Charlie. Eldest son of Dolly and Wally Dunn (both dec), brother and brother-in-law to Willie and Joy Dunn (Pahiatua), Whana Dunn (dec), Rosina and Mark Ward (Masterton), Norman Dunn (dec), Leslie Dunn (Masterton), Gaylene Dunn (dec), Warren Dunn (Carterton), Arthur and Donna Dunn (Richmond). Much loved uncle and great uncle to his many nieces and nephews. A burial has been held as per Bob’s wishes.

DOBSON, Michael Owen (Dobby). RM B20885 Joined 1/73 Born October 20, 1955. Passed away on December 25, 2023. Aged 68 passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family. Much loved partner to Lainy, loving dad to Heidi, Shane, Amie, Carl and Josh and loving step-dad to Jordon and Lucas. Wonderful father-in-law and deeply loved Poppa of nine adoring grandkids (soon to be 11). Dobby’s service will be held at Morrisons Henderson at 12.30 pm in the main chapel on January 3rd. Everybody welcome.

TAHANA Clarrence (Clarry) joined 1/86 crossed the bar 22 December 2023. From his son Jordan Tahana, Kia ora whānau, If you would like to see Dad, we are having an open casket viewing on the 26th December at Tipene Funerals in Onehunga 24 Hill Street. The times will be confirmed as to when you will be able to come and see him. The funeral service will be held at Manukau Memorial Gardens on the 28th December at 1230 Please let us know if you can make it or not just so we can estimate the numbers for seating/catering. If you want to have some drinks/food, we will be holding something at Ramblers Softball Club (Cornwallis Street, Mount Albert) after the service.

CHRISTIAN, Brian Kenneth LDEF (V104406 RNZNVR ) Passed away peacefully on Monday, December 18, 2023, in his favourite chair watching the cricket. Dearly loved husband of the late Helen. Loved father and father-in-law of Matthew and Janice, Spencer, and Gareth. Loved Grandad Brian of Ashley, Cameron, Sammiie, Vicky, and Jacob. Loved brother and brother-in-law of Annette and Colin Turner, and the late Neil. Loved Brian to Jenny and Barry Hanson, Allan and Fiona Gale. Loved Poppa to Kate, Georgia, Jessie, and Toby. Loved brother-in-law to the Dick Family, David and Evelyn, Bruce and Nola, Colin and Irene, Neill and Heather, and the late Jeanne. A service to celebrate Brian’s life will be held at the Aoraki Funeral Services, 160 Mountain View Road, Timaru on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 1.00pm, thereafter in cortege to the Pleasant Point Golf Club for refreshments. A private cremation will then be held. A livestream of the service is available, please email office@aoraki.kiwi.nz or call 6862148. Messages to: the Christian family, C/- PO Box 4091, Highfield, Timaru.

THOMPSON, Bruce William. Service No. M1031791 RNZN and NZCF Chaplin, Retd. Born 03 February 1937, passed away 20 December 2023 after a brief illness. Beloved husband of 65 years to Beryl, loving father of Peter and Karen, Glenda and Simon, and Raewyn and Tony. Proud grandfather to Brianna and Nicholas, and Chloe, Elliott and Madison, great grandfather to Bella and Miley. Loving older brother to Marion, Robert and Jenny. In God’s presence. The family extends thanks and gratitude to the incredible staff in North Shore Hospital, Ward Four. A memorial service will be held 11am, Wednesaday 24 January 2024 at Holy Trinity, 20 Church Street Devonport.

DALE Don William 4861, ALBERT MEDAL (Sea Type, bronze). NZ ARMY. RNZN. Don Dale of Waimate, the only member of the NZ Navy to receive the Albert Medal for bravery WW2. The Albert Medal was replaced by the George Cross in 1971 and recipients were invited to exchange if they wished. Donald William Dale was born 13 Sept. 1922 in Timaru. In 1947 he married Lois Hazel Jean Chamberlain. They are both buried in the Waimate cemetery in adjacent plots. Don died in Oct. 1968 at age 47. Lois died in December 2001 and she was born May 10th 1922. They had four children. He was a farm labourer before enlisting in the Army but transferred to the Navy in 1942, serving on HMNZS Achilles, and Gambia. He was discharged from the Navy in 1946. The Gambia represented NZ at the formal surrender of Japan in Tokoyo Bay. Dale attended the 1953 Queens Coronation in London England and received the Queens Coronation medal. He was in the serving as a Leading Stoker on HMNZS Achilles when it was docked for repairs on the 22nd June 1943 at Portsmouth.There was an explosion in a fuel tank on board, which killed 14 dockyard workers and might have claimed more lives had it not been for the prompt and courageous action of members of the cruisers’ crew. A dozen men owed their lives to Stoker First Class William Dale, of Waimate, Engineroom Artificer William Vaughan, RN, of Durham, England, and Stoker First Class Ernest Valentine, RNZNVR, of Ohakune. After finding that all smoke apparatus was in use, Dale tied a handkerchief over his mouth and went down three decks into a smoke filled space. With complete disregard for his own safety, and working in pitch dark, he found four injured men and passed them up to safety. He then went up on deck for a breath of fresh air before re-entering the fuel tank that was the seat of the explosion. With Dale went a dockyard worker named Rogers. Between them they rescued two men who were hauled clear by ropes. Those rescued said afterwards that, without the New Zealander’s help, they would not have survived. For his actions Dale was awarded the Albert Medal, the only member of the New Zealand Navy Forces to receive this rare decoration during the second world war. The back of the Dons Albert Medal reads: Awarded by THE KING to Stoker 1st Class, DONALD WILLIAM DALE N/Z 4861 for gallantry in saving life in H.M.N.Z.S ACHILLES 22nd January 1943

WADMAN, David Alan. PO FC1 NZ14859 Joined 30-07-1953-1964 On 13 December 2023, aged 85 years. Beloved husband of Lorraine for 63 and a half years. Treasured Father and Father-in-law of Brent and Ange; Denise and Terry; Ross and Samantha; Blair and Julie. Devoted Pa to 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Death will not part us, nor distance divide. Forever and always, you will be by my side. A service to celebrate David’s life will be held at the Central Park Chapel of Davis Funerals, 150 Central Park Drive, Henderson on Tuesday 19 December at 10.30am

KLAVS, Damian Peter John NZBS. AWEM Joined 1/88 FFL/NZP Unexpectedly on 9th December 2023, aged 53 years. Much loved husband of Veronica. Loved Dad of Zac, and Brooke and father-in-law to be of George. A loved son of Edwina and the late Peteris. Loved brother and brother- in-law of Marilyn (deceased), Paul and Jill, Gary and Yi, Felicity, Greg and Susan, Tim and Goy, and Sylvia and Mick. A loved uncle of his many nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to attend a celebration of Damian’s life in the Forrest Lawn Chapel, 208 Guyton Street, Wanganui, on Saturday 16th December 2023 at 11.00am to be followed by a private cremation. Damian’s Funeral Service can be viewed online at www. dempseyandforrest. co.nz ‘watch a funeral online’ line.

CAIN, Carl Armand (Choc). Born December 18, 1936. Passed away on December 10, 2023. RNZN-NZH14037 At Dad’s request, private cremation Celebration of Life February 2024 Rest in peace Warrior, Your Watch Is Done Your Loving Whanau.

HAY, Donald Clouston. —RNZN S/No. NZ12547 Joined 48 as a BOY2. On 7th December 2023, passed away at Gisborne Hospital. Loved husband of the late Fay. Loved father and father-in-law of Lynn, Diane and Mike. Loved Pop of Renee, Brynn, Daniel and Anthony; Lauren, Brooke, and Olivia, and Great-Poppa of Lilyana and Ashton. Don’s farewell service will be held at Evans Chapel, Ormond Road at 11am on Wednesday 13th December, followed by private cremation – Evans Funeral Services Ltd FDANZ

RIDGLEY, Anamea Leigh. (Royal NZ Navy). Passed away suddenly at home, with family by her side. Aged 36 years. Much-loved fiancé of James, loved daughter and daughter-in-law of Don and Aroha and Cheryl and Rob. Anamea will be greatly missed by all her friends and family. Messages may be sent to the Ridgley Family, c/- P O Box 110, Blenheim 7240. A celebration of Anamea’s life will be held at the Church of Latter Day Saints, 31 Howick Road, Blenheim at 10am on Saturday December 9, followed by interment at Fairhall Cemetery.

KILPATRICK, Robert J. MBE, WOWTR NZ14287, Joined 5/52 It is with deepest regret dad passed away early this morning after a couple of weeks in hospital and only a couple of nights in his new residence at CHT Acacia Park Omokoroa. He passed peacefully in the comfort of his lovely new residence , his personal belongings and beautiful memories of mum who passed away on 31 Oct. Bob and Pat are now back together after a very short time apart; and after 63 years of marriage they have now proven their togetherness was meant to be forever.

Ernest SKEET 26.5.1925 – 3.12.2023 NZ8966, Able, R.N.Z.N. Of Greytown. Peacefully at Palliser House surrounded by family. Dearly loved husband of Bernice (dec). Loved father, father-in-law and mate of Stuart and Raquel, Trudy, Heather and Ron, Gregory (George) (dec) and Sharon. Loved FaFa to all his grand, great and great-great-grandchildren. A special thank you to all the staff at Palliser for their care of France during his time there especially the guidance received during his final days. In lieu of flowers a donation to the Lifeflight Trust (www.lifeflight.org.nz), P.O. Box 14448, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6241, would be appreciated and may be left in the church foyer. A service for France will be held in St Luke’s Anglican Church, Corner of Main and Church Streets, Greytown, on Monday 11th December 2023 at 2.00pm, followed by burial at the Greytown Services Lawn Cemetery. Messages to the Skeet family, C/- P.O. Box 185, Carterton 5743 or can be left on France’s tribute page at www.tributes.co.nz

GOODIN, Norman James POME NZ15832 Joined 56 Passed away on Friday, 1st December 2023. Aged 84 years. Dearly loved husband and best friend of Karen. Loved dad and father-in-law of Vanessa and Grant Baker, Tracey and Paul, Paula and Mark. Loved grandad of Aishia, Jordana, Taryn, Lauren, Savannah, Olivia, and Ethan. Great-grandad of Adriana, Brooklyn, Lily, and Miles. A service for Norman will be held at Woolertons Funeral Home Chapel, 8 Railside Place, Hamilton 3204 on Thursday, 7th December, at 11.00am. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hato Hone St Johns Ambulance would be appreciated and may be made online at www.stjohn.org.nz/support-us/donate/, or may be left at the venue. All correspondence for the Goodin family, c/- PO Box 276, Hamilton 3240.

BREGMEN Joe (George), ex Chief Stoker and Life Member of the Senior Rates Fleet Mess, passed peacefully yesterday afternoon at home with Yvonne. Funeral arrangements will be added when known. Joe was born in 1934. Joe fell out of bed and when the ambulance arrived, he had a scan which revealed he had a Brain Tumor. Joe CTB peacefully at home in Devonport. IAW Joe’s wishes, he has been cremated in a private family ceremony. He has asked that his ashes be scattered at sea, and according to Yvonne, this will not happen until the New Year. THE SRFM Manger will keep us informed. There will be no church service for Joe.