William HOPEWELL Obituary

Kathy and I first met Ian and Edna when we attended an ANZAC Day Service in Kaikoura about 27 years ago. Both of us were serving in the Air Force at the time and much to our delight were immediately befriended and taken under their wings - more so when we subsequently bought a house in the area.

Such was their friendship that one day a local asked them about "their daughter". This brought forth laughter - but I don´t think Ian minded about he and Edna being Kathy´s "Kaikoura mum and dad".

Even minding "Sam", our ginger tabby cat, while Kathy was at work at Woodbourne. Ian was a bit of a softie with "Sam".

We often recall the balmy summer late afternoons and evenings spent in the company of Ian and Edna and others at the old Blue Pacific Pub on the Kaikoura waterfront. Delightful times.

Ian introduced us to many of the locals whose topics of conversation were highlighted by fishing stories and their craypots - over a beer, of course.

And later, after we moved away and returned to stay with Ian and Edna at South Bay, the ritual of taking the bus over the hill for a beer at the Lobster Inn and the even more animated return trips, always arriving in time for the delightful dinner that Edna and her Kaikoura daughter had prepared for we two happy inebriates.

Ian and Edna came to our wedding in Hamilton and brought a load of crayfish much to the delight of Eddie, our wee terrier dog. He was determined to get his jaws around a morsel - a rather large morsel as it turned out - when he stole one from a plate left on a ledge while the festivities continued. Lots of laughter - more so from Ian - when a determined little white dog made his way across the lawn to our feet under the table with half a cray dangling from either side of his mouth.

Ian loved getting out onto the beautiful waters off South Bay.

Ian was also heavily into his gardening which he undertook with military precision.

Indeed, Ian was very proud of his CMT service with the Army. He always maintained an interest in our respective military careers including my move to the Army.

We had many late night discussions over the odd two or three beers about various aspects of our military service. Ian always delighted in recalling some of the humorous incidents that he and his Army CMT cohorts got up to. Not all were in accordance with military procedures...

And so today, sadly, we gather here to pay our last tribute of honour and respect for Ian, my brother ex-Serviceman, who willingly served many years ago fully intending - if the need arose - to defend his friends and country.

We thank God for his steadfastness in adversity and for the memories he has left behind for Edna, Graeme and Murray and all those who knew him.

We now leave Ian resting in God´s merciful care and commend those who mourn to His compassion.

Thank you Ian.

Kathy and I will always remember you.

[Kevin's address at Ians's funeral on 15 December 2022]

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.