Jack Kingston was one of Piha’s oldest and longest dwelling residents, when he died on 9 November 2017 aged 99 years. He has been at Piha so long, the corner of the road by his driveway is known locally as “Kingstons’ corner”. A very community-minded man, he was also a thorough going gentleman and will be very sadly [ Read More ]
The death occurred on 11 June 2016 of Bob NcNeil and he was farewelled at the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Avondale on Thursday 17 June. Bob was a West Auckland boy through and through. Though born at Coromandel, he came to Avondale as a child and grew up there, attending St Mary’s School. He [ Read More ]
Sadly, Jack de Bazin died on Friday 18th September. Jack and his wife Ngaire lived in Rayner Road for years and were at the hub of community life. Jack was a founding member and the third “sub-officer” of the Piha volunteer fire service. “Sub officer” was the name given to the Chief of the Piha [ Read More ]
A large crowd gathered in the Domain on Friday 19 June to farewell local man Marc Anthony Mateo who died accidentally the previous weekend. Eldest son of Bev, partner of Debalina Rose, father of Tiger, and brother of Phillip, Rachel, Todd and Emily. Marc was a talented cinematographer and a large number of friends and [ Read More ]
Piha suffered two bereavements of long term locals in the last week. Larry Gibson, former Piha Bowling Club president and stalwart and extremely hard worker for the club, died in the weekend. He made an immense contribution to the club and always gave a warm welcome to members and visitors. Larry was in the tradition of [ Read More ]
Ron Cooper, a loyal and long-standing member of Piha Surf Life Saving Club, died at Taupaki Gables on 15 September 2012. Ron was born on 7 April 1927, grew up at Smale Street, Pt Chevalier, and went to Pasadena and Kowhai Schools. Father Don worked in the production of the Auckland Star and his mother Margaret was [ Read More ]
It is sad to record the death of Joan Kingston, aged 92, revered long-term resident of Piha and devoted partner of Jack. Joan was born Heather Joan Alice Cowie on 23 October 1919 and had a childhood in Auckland, attending Newton Central School. When she left school at 13 she worked in various textile and clothing businesses [ Read More ]
Lance Clyde Watt died on Sunday 8 April. Until recently, Lance had  lived at his family’s home at the end of Glen Esk Road, Piha, then ill health led to his going to live at the Ranfurly Home in Epsom. Lance was the son of Piha’s poet, Lorna Watt, and plumber, Lex Watt. The Watts bought the [ Read More ]
Doug Pople died suddenly in August 1999, aged 68 years. Doug was the son of Rachel and Charlie Pople who ran the boarding house and built the Piha Store in 1945. He was about five when the family started camping at Piha. Charlie Pople lost his fruit business after the government took over fruit importing, [ Read More ]
The death occured yesterday 4 January of Bruce Murray, a very long term resident of Piha. Bruce’s family had long-standing connections with Piha, having taken over the Piha Store from the Crichtons in the early 1950s and run it for a number of years. Bruce was one of three Murray children; his brother was Graham and [ Read More ]