My father was an avid sportsman in his youth, competing in long distance running events and had a great love for the outdoors. Once a year he would travel to Nelson to go whitebaiting with his father (my papa Max), as well as participating in the annual Duck Shooting Season (and occasionally hunting deer.) When he could tear himself away from Outdoor Living, he would go Deep Sea fishing in the Bay of Islands, and was a Diver for many years. I have many great memories as a child, of family camping trips (many around the more remote shores of Lake Taupo), and catching my first trout on a fishing trip with my Dad on the same lake.
Dad was very involved with the town community, he was an active member of Lions International and was a frequent attender to the Taupo Gun Club.
I think one of the fondest moments I can remember, was not long after his death. I remember talking to Mum about Dad - sharing various memories; and finding out that my Dad hated pasta. No big deal in itself - except as a teenager, when helping out with the family meals at home - I always made Lasagne - because Dad used to say how much he like it! It all makes sense to me now, how years later, when Dad would visit me in Auckland at my student flat while I was studying at Auckland University; why he never seemed to take up my offer of a home cooked meal!