Jack Passings – August 2022
KIRK, Robert John: Able Seaman NZ8958 WWII. On Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at Essie Summers Retirement Village, aged 98 years. Dearly loved son of the late John and Eileen Kirk. Loved brother of Ada Harris, Peggy Smith, Kathy Counsell, Islay Kirk, Shirley Nuttall, and Janet Thompson (all deceased). Loved brother-in-law of Norm Harris, Pat Smith, Nelson Counsell, Des Nuttall, and Barbara Kirk (all deceased). Loved brother of Murray Kirk and brother-in-law of Jennifer Kirk, and Vernon and Dorothy Thompson. Special thanks to the Essie Summers family for the wonderful care of Bob over the years. Messages to the Kirk family, c/- PO Box 10345, Christchurch 8145. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held in the Ferry Park Chapel on Friday, September 2, 2022, at 2.00pm. Private cremation thereafter.
KING, Charles Edward (Roy). QSM Service No. 4462 WWII RNZN Ordinary Signalman Peacefully on 25 August 2022 in his 99th year. Dearly loved husband of the late Val and loved father and father-in-law of Gael, Terry, and Debbie. A very special Poppa, Great Poppa, and Great Great Poppa who will always be remembered. A service for Roy will be held at St John’s Anglican Church, 327 Beach Road, Campbells Bay on Friday 2 September at 2.30 pm.
DOWIE Robert Keith (Bob) Rego 631723 Driver NZ Army NZ8786 Seaman Royal New Zealand Navy 1943-1946 WWII Passed away peacefully in Greymouth with loving family by his side on August 16, 2022, aged 98. Devoted husband of Chrissie, deeply loved dad and father-in-law of Lindsay & Alexis, Stuart & Linda, Jeanette & the late Tony Coll, and Gill & Tony Barnett, cherished grandad of Thea, Ella, Hannah, Kelly, Garth & Avril, Jess & Matthew, Christie & Matthew, and Tyler & Megan,
loved great grandad of Lennii, Ronan, Hayden, Ryder, Morris, Darby, Owen, and two pending, loved brother and brother-in-law of the late Myrtle & Syd Robinson, Bill & Edna, Monica & Ted Black, Ted & Betty, Ron & Ethel, Marge & Duane Sasse, loved brother-in-law of the late Jean & Fred Douglas, Betty & Max Birchfield, Mary Gillaly, and Tommy & Alison Gillaly, a loved uncle, cousin and friend of many. Donations to the Greymouth RSA would be appreciated and can be made online at rsa.org.nz or at the service. Messages to 14 Coates Street, Greymouth 7805. A Funeral Service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held in the William Sampson Memorial Chapel, Tainui Street, on Monday at 1pm. Bob will then be laid to rest in the RSA Section at the Karoro Lawn Cemetery.
KILDARE, Alexander John (Alec). MBE WOMEA (Retired) J332749 16 November 1933 – 19 August 2022. Aged 88 Years Dearly beloved husband of the late Glenise Loved father and father in-law of Stephen and Lois, Malcolm and Leah and Nicholas and Debbi Loving Grandpa to Taryn, Ben and Jennifer Passed away peacefully at Whangarei Hospital. Special thanks to Radius Bay Care Haruru Staff for caring for him over the last 2 years Will be sadly missed by his extended family and friends Reunited again with Glenise
HEWSON John Nicholas (Ian) (Bugs) B.E.M. No: 13174 RNZN.
Passed peacefully at Charles Upham Hospital. Dearly loved husband of the late Dawn. Loved brother and brother-in-law of Frank and Christine Hewson (both deceased), Veronica and the late Ken Brown, Noreen and the late Brian Fahy, Beryl and Gary Cook, Anne (dec) and John Moore. Loved step-dad of Mark and Vicki Milnes, Leah and Franz Bastings, John and Wendy Milnes and their families, Ian was a loved uncle to his nieces and nephews. A special thank you to the staff at Charles Upham for their care of Ian. Messages to the Hewson Family, C/- PO Box )263, Kaiapoi 7644. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Fuller Street, Kaiapoi, on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at 11.00 am.
Older RNZN communicators will remember Fleet Chief Radio Supervisor John Hewson [ZL2BAH] not only for his superior communication skills but, also the extraordinary high people standard he set, especially, to junior communicators under his charge. It is legendary that John, ‘set the bar’ by practicing and encouraging open communication with all of his colleagues of any stripe and he always remained respectful during conflict situations. Thank you, John for ‘steadying the ship, trimming my sails’ and pointing me in the right direction. I am sure the ‘great almighty’ Aka ‘captain of the heavens’ will richly reward all of your good work on planet earth. RESTO AL POTERE
Well done Neal, Yes Bugs was a person who you looked up to. He would help anyone who needed someone to talk to. My wife [Betty] and I called in and saw him a few years ago. He was in the process of setting up a model train set at his home. We thought very highly of him. Many thanks Neal, hope all is well your end. My home address is 195 Rotongaro Road RD2 Huntly. Phone 027 339 7091 if you want to make contact. Kind regards, Terry East.
RIP Bugs – he was my first CRS on Blackpool – his guidance encouraging promotion was what I needed and soon I was promoted (still on Blackpool) to ARD. Bugs was a sparker who stood by his staff and supported them when needed. He was the ultimate gentleman. Make a mistake you soon were corrected but in a nice way. Thank you Bugs – you made me realise that you don’t sit on your bottom you get up and go. May you meet all those great sparkers in the sky and enjoy reading the odd biffer. AR
Bugs got me my drivers license when I was at ZLO driving his car. Also had the privilege while there of climbing Mt.Ruapehu and swimming in the crater lake and climbing Mt.Tongariro with Bugs… how time has flown. We used to call him the Auto-head as his hand morse was that good. Also encouraged me to get my ham license.
RIP Bugs.
I remember going up Tongariro with him on that trek