Dearest Donna, Skye, Lowe, Torston, and Danette,
I have known Patrick since 1987. I always knew him with a strong nature and with some very strong opinions.!
I also knew him as a good listener and with huge passions.
He lived life in a manner that was expressed in his passion for everything that had speed - his passion for cars, aircraft, and horses!! He always had itchy feet and wanted to try everything and do everything no matter where that would take him and what it left in the impending "dust"! He had drive and zeal to "just do it"- and he did!
I can't say that I always understood his views or his ways, but watching and hearing of his life in the past 7 years, today, has made me realise that this strong-willed, passionate man, was also a man passionate for God's own heart and exuded love and kindness to all that he came into contact with.
He expressed physical passions through his art, design, and people skills, but he also expressed openly his passions for change that aligned to God or his depth of kindness that he wholeheartedly shared with the wider community.
I sadly didn't have the full honor of seeing or experiencing this (I maybe had a few sneak peaks), but it is indeed a great joy to know that He loved God, that He strived to be the best that he could be, and that he did his absolute best to live a life of truth and honor.
It was obvious that he was a passionate, loving husband to you, Donna, and in his own unique way, through the stories I heard, it is clear that he loved you, Skye, and Torston dearly. We don't know to the full depth, but it is now pretty obvious that it was pretty deep. I am thankful you got to spend those final days and hours realising this and had the honor to be by his side with Donna.
He definitely was a loving "bappi" and I am thankful that the children got to know him as a man of God.
May you all go forward knowing that He is in the most special place of honor, locked in the joyful embrace of our loving Jesus and Father.
May you know the depth and width and height of God's vehement love for you all and may you find peace and joy as you journey the next path that our Creator, our Father, Our Jehovah Jireh and our Jehovah Rapha has put before you.
May you find the joy in knowing that He is your Father over all and that He sent Jesus to die for our sins, and without Him, we are nothing. So trust in Him and believe in Him as He maps out your next steps.
Ross and I love you all dearly and we are always here if you need us.
Rest in Peace, Patrick - until we meet again!
Big hugs and kisses to you all and to our beautiful "god grandchildren" Mikhyra, Kylo and Haleigh.
We are proud of you all 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
Ross and Janine, Tauranga
