Jack Passings – June 2020

DEMPSEY, Robert William. RNZN 9777. Rob died peacefully in his 95th year at Grace Joel Retirement Village on June 29, 2020 with his loved ones beside him. Treasured husband of Rae for 53 years. Kind and gentle loved father and father-in-law to Robert Jnr and Gillian (Australia), Paul and Michele, Vicki and John, and Karen and Bill. Grandad and Granpop to 11 Grandchildren and 23 Great Grandchildren. Sail on sweetheart. A private family service has been held.

BOWDEN, Trevor Bruce. RNZN 16343 Born October 11 1941. Passed away peacefully at home on 1st July 2020 aged 78 with loving family at his side. Beloved husband of Anne (deceased), Father to Scott and Steven, and father-in-law to Jackie. Grandad to Douglas, Andrew, Stephanie, Rachael and Great-grandad to Lily. A service to honour Trevor’s life will be held at The North Harbour Chapel of Dil’s Funeral Services, 185 Schnapper Rock Road, Albany on Thursday 9th July 2020 at 3.30pm.

WRIGHT, Graham Maurice. R.N.Z.N. NZ12476 R.N.Z. N. 48-54 Leading Seaman. He passed very peacefully at 11:45 am 21st June 2020. He was a friend, uncle, uncle R. Soul to many. He was a great-uncle, great-great-uncle and also godfather to Jennabeth. R.I.P. Brother at Arms of four, brother to many Ulysees

LOGAN, Ian Ross. P21357 Cdr RNZN (Ret) Passed away peacefully at Waikato Hospital on Saturday 27 June 2020, aged 64 years. Much loved and loving husband of Heather. Adored Papa of Amelia and Harry. Loved brother of Jan and the late Bruce. A Service to celebrate Ian’s life will be held at St Andrews Church, 85 Hamilton Road, Cambridge on Saturday 4 July at 11:30am.

TANSEY Ronald RNZN 1953 – 62? NZTV HMNZS PUKAKI 1957 passed away in Kaikohe rest home Friday 19 June 2020. RIP Ron.

CRANSTON, Maurice John. RNZN WW11 20 February 1924 – 11 June 2020. Maurice who recently passed away in Raglan was the son of the late Emily and Robert Cranston of Hamilton and the 9th of 10th siblings. Laura (Moffat) Alfred, Jean (O’hara) Charles, Frederick, Merle (Vaughan), Rexford, Audrey (Stevens) Maurice and Barry. Maurice was predeceased by all but Barry (Algies Bay). Maurice was also predeceased by his loved wife Rae and former wife Verna. He was a devoted father, stepfather, grandfather, great grandfather and respected brother and uncle to many nieces and nephews. Maurice will be remembered for the manufacture and restoration of fine furniture and his contribution to athletics and community services. He will be missed. Maurice wished for a private cremation. Lest we forget.

THOMPSON, Peter Haydyn. Crossed the bar 12 June 2020 aged 92. RN JX740859 (1945-48), RNZN U14347 (1952-1983), LtCdr (Ret). Loved husband, father and grandfather of: Fiona; Christopher, Stephen, Lisa and Jeremy; Luca, Zak and Rafael. A service commemorating Peter’s life will be held on Friday 19 June 2020 at 11am in the Naval Memorial Chapel of St Christopher, Devonport Naval Base. Guests attending, please bring photo I.D. for entry into the Naval Base. Donations in lieu of flowers please to Mercy Hospice Auckland. https:/ /mercyhospice.org.nz/ services/donate/. The Natural Funeral Company 021 234 5650

CARR, John Neville: Regt. CMX575382 Royal Navy / RNZN WW2. On June 9, 2020, peacefully in the loving care of Ngaio Marsh Retirement Village; aged 95 years. Dearly loved husband of late Patricia, so loved Dad of Joyce and the late Roger Rees (UK), Ralph and Julie, and Alison. Special Granddad to his 7 grandchildren and their partners and 5 great-grandchildren both here and the UK. In our sorrow, we can hold on to the thought that a life lived with so much love never really ends but goes on forever in the hearts of those who remember.
Flowers respectfully declined but donations to the Paparua Templeton RSA would be greatly appreciated. Messages to the Carr family c/- PO Box 111-01, Christchurch 8443. A Celebration of John’s life will be held in the Paparua Templeton RSA, 38 Kirk Road, Templeton, on Monday, June 15, at 11.00am. Private cremation thereafter.

Peter Thompson, the last of the RNZN gunnery officers, died this morning, 12 June 2020, an hour after Gerry Wright left him. Fiona was at his bedside, in a wheelchair, holding his hand for the final few hours. When Gerry saw Peter yesterday he looked tired but he was able to tell me a thing or two with a smile. The funeral will probably be held next Friday at St Christopher’s, Devonport. Messages of condolence can be sent to  Fiona and son Christopher at: 14 Waitata Place, Avondale Auckland 1007

WRIGHT, Raymond George. ex-Royal NZ Navy, NZ Police, Highlanders Otago Rugby, Kings High School. On Monday 1st June 2020 at Home. Loved and devoted husband and best friend of Jill for 55 wonderful years, special and loving Dad of Sandy and Joanna, Loved father-in-law of Adrian Hocking and the shining star of his Granddaughter McKenna. Much loved Brother in Law of Ron and Kathleen McCorkindale, Reg and Evelyn McCorkindale, Christine and Reiner Van Der Hilst. The only child of Robert and Hilda Wright. A fun Uncle of Sarah Norford, Charlotte McCorkindale, Lyndon and Nikolas Mason, Maria Courtney, Jon Van Der Hilst, Julie Jones and Anthony McCorkindale and their families and a special Ray Ray to Liam and Meesha. A Service for Ray will be held at Gillions Funeral Services at 407 Hillside Road, South Dunedin on Thursday 11th June at 1:30 p.m. followed by private cremation. The service will be live-streamed on gillions.co.nz/kiwi- channel Jill and family would like to acknowledge the wonderful support from Dr Peter Gent MHC, Mornington Pharmacy Staff, District Nursing Service, Otago Hospice staff, and Royal District Nurses. Messages to ray. jillwright@xtra.co.nz Gillions Funeral Services FDANZ NZIFH

CRANSTON, Maurice John: Navy No. N9750 On 11 June 2020, Maurice passed away peacefully at the Raglan Rest Home after a series of strokes. He was in his 97th year. During WW2 he served in the Navy as a signalman on Motor Torpedo Boats. Maurice will also be remembered as a leading furniture upholsterer in Hamilton and the wider area for several decades. In his early years, he was a member of several athletic and harrier clubs in Cambridge and Hamilton. The family would like to acknowledge the care and love shown by the staff of the Raglan Hospital and Rest Home over the past few years and the extra support given him by family and friends. All communication to C J Cranston, 46 Cross Street, Raglan 3225

DUFF, Lance. 13577 RNZN Seaman. Korean Conflict. Passed away peacefully after a long illness with his loving wife by his side, aged 84. Much loved husband of Patricia. Loving father and father in- law of Peggy-Sue and Philip, Jamie and Karen, Matthew and Marcelle, Carlos and Gaia, Simon and Katherine, William. Loved grandad, great grandad, brother, uncle and friend to many. A special thanks to Jim Presland for being such a good mate. Special thanks to the wonderful staff of ward 72, Auckland City Hospital for their love and care. At Lance’s request, a private cremation will be held.

HILFORD, Murray Robert. RNZN9474 Able Seaman, WWII, Atlantic, Greece, Malta, Italy Born 15th March 1926. Passed away on Wednesday 15th April 2020, after a long illness and short stay at Northhaven Private Hospital, Whangaparaoa; aged 94 years. Beloved husband of Zelma (deceased) and loved father of Dianne, Murray and Paul, father-in-law to Peter and Christine. Cherished Grandfather to Vicky and husband Ken, Deborah and husband Stuart, Jody and husband Andy, Philip and wife Emma, Michael, Janie and Chris. Great Grandfather to Chanel, Thomas, Alexandra, Nicholas, Sam, Fletcher, Maggie, Finlay and Max. Murray was a gentle kind, loving and honest man and will be in our hearts forever. A Memorial Service to celebrate Murray’s life will be held at the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa on Monday 15th June 2020 at 11am.

PROUSE Ian William, NZ 17887, CPO WTR – CTB today Sunday 7th June 2020 in Wanganui, NZ. Ian was a J/Wtr in the 1st Fort Cautley Intake on 19th Sept 1963. Served first engagement to 14 June 1973, had a break for 7 years as a legal executive, rejoining the RNZN in 1980 discharging in 1991as a CPO Wtr after buying back his super time. RIP

ACTON, Thomas Stackhouse (Tom). Of Acton Scott, Shropshire, UK, born Fullerton-Smith, husband of the late Lucy Acton, father to Francis and Rupert, died 27 May aged 95 peacefully at Acton Scott Hall. He enjoyed visits from relatives across the N Island to the UK and his attachment to the RNZN in the 50s.

LOW, Douglas Alexander (Doug): RNZN; NZ15247 (1955 – 1957) Suddenly at Timaru after a prolonged illness on June 2, 2020. Dearly loved Dad and father-in-law of Robert, Corrina and Gary Ball, Anita and Grant (dec) Ramsey, Machelle and Darren Holden, and the late Georgina. Loved Grandad and Great-Granddad to his grandchildren. Loved son, son-in-law, brother and brother-in-law to his extended families. A service to celebrate Doug’s life will be held at Aoraki Funeral Services Chapel, 160 Mountain View Rd, Gleniti, Timaru, on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at 1.00 pm, followed by interment at Timaru Cemetery and a further gathering at Timaru Town and Country Club, 99 Douglas St, Timaru. In lieu of flowers donations to the Cancer Society will be gratefully accepted and can be left at the service. Messages to 4 Lagoon Drive, RD 1, Normanby, Timaru 7971. Regret to advise that EM1 Doug Low crossed the bar 3 June 2020. His funeral will be held at Aoraki Funeral Home in Mountainview Road, Timaru at 1300 on Tuesday 9th June 2020.  

MORE, John Ivan (Pony) CTB 7th May at home from Cancer. Pony transferred to the Diving Branch (ex Electrical) in 1959. Well known in the sailing community and was very involved with the Spirit Of Adventure as sailing master and Captain. Pony was cremated privately as requested. I passed on our condolences to the family on behalf of the RNZN Divers. Pete Kneebone.