North Canterbury News: June 28, 2022

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Mum and Dad never really learnt how to retire, and at the age of 70yrs Dad had flying lessons at Wigram, just outside Christchurch and obtained his private pilots licence when 72years young! He also passed a course for multi engine rating flying Cougar ZK-PAP at Wigram. Mum and dad joined the Canterbury Vintage Car Club (thanks Jeff Rogers for your friendship) and dad would source information from the club library and went on many car and bike events (his diary has this recorded and planned ahead!). Gloria Micallef from Waimack Classic Cars has relayed the joy and experience of meeting them at many of these events. Dad somehow managed to fit into their lives time to continue researching triumph motorbikes, and communicating around the world by email, letters and welcoming visitors. In 2010 Dad set up the Rangiora Menz Shed (Morris Harris has relayed memories). We as children have seen many photos over the years of the club building being developed, fund raising events and items made, and had the privilege of being introduced to members when we visited. In 2019 Dad retired as Chairman, with life long membership and received an Acknowledgement of Service Certificate, presented by Mayor David Ayers. I have recently found that dad had kept a typed diary on his computer, for many years, and had typed up what they had done, and who they had met, with his own ‘special way of commenting!’ One of their early NZ friends are Richard & Audrey Caldwell, Dad mentioned them visiting most years, for motorbikes of course! (I omitted to say that steam trains and traction engines were also part of our childhood, but he never owned one, otherwise I’m sure that would have been shipped to NZ!). Mum and Dad never really learnt how to retire, and at the age of 70yrs Dad had flying lessons at Wigram, just outside Christchurch and obtained his private pilots licence when 72years young! He also passed a course for multi engine rating flying Cougar ZK-PAP at Wigram. In 2014 the Model Railways boxes were opened again, including his original 1961 Table Top Great Western Railway, in 3mm size (he had never cancelled his UK 3mm Society membership!) Dad was a foundation member of the North Canterbury Model Railway club, and after a brief break (as busy with the Menz Shed Dad) returned to his layout on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. Dad shared by email many photos of his ideas and models, and his considerations and attention to detail continued with these small but important replicas. (Thank you Arthur Linnell and Kevin Ching for sharing with us Dad’s life and enjoyment at the club, and the club having a running track at Dad’s funeral reception!) 7
When mum and dad emigrated to NZ, they left Richard and myself behind in the UK. Dad was never a ‘religious’ man, and attended Church for particular and special events. He always encouraged us as children to be involved with Sunday school/choir etc. Mum has a strong Christian Faith in the Lord and has testimony of being healed from Arthritis, and has continued in strong health and exercising many dogs over the years. Mum when in NZ occupied her time with many new friends and Church life, Nursing/Care home visits, and dog training. She even managed to fit in studying for Theology Degree, and her thesis was ‘Why Spiritual Care for the Elderly’ (copies available). She also supported dad with his triumph bikes and classic cars and all their activities and events. Dad never stopped mum with her Church life, he would support and when they celebrated their 50 years, they had a recommittal of their marriage at Church, followed by a car rally event! As a family we also met up for a week together in Singapore, and Dad was great at organizing all our varying ideas and what we wanted to do – he got a flip chart from the hotel! Dad was a great lover of ice-cream, and I make no excuse in sharing with you one of my favourite photos from Singapore. Mum and Dad with an Icecream in the café under our hotel! Great memories! On 23rd January 2020 they celebrated another milestone of 60 years marriage! Their friends John and Kay Galey hosted a tea party for them, and a journalist from the local North Canterbury News newspaper visited, with a subsequent article printed ‘Years on, love still triumphs’. A title that summed up their lives perfectly! 8
Page 1 and 2: Peter Charles Richard Cornelius 25.
Page 3 and 4: Back to before Mum, myself or broth
Page 5 and 6: It was not long before Dad was back
Page 7: So on 13th September 1993 (noted in
Page 11 and 12: It says in the Bible John 21v25 ‘

North Canterbury News: June 28, 2022

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?