John COOK

Shelley, Ian, and Monique, Heather, Paul, and Holly, Bryce, Lisa, Kaisey, Dillion and Johnny, Alistair, Debbie, Sheila, Bonnie and Fern would like to share our heartfelt thanks for all the loving support, kind words, cards, koha, food and flowers from family, friends and colleagues over the recent passing of John, our very treasured Dad, Poppa and Pop-Pop. Sincere thanks to the very hardworking and caring team at Opunake Cottage Rest home who previously looked after and supported Dad. Special thanks and huge appreciation to the incredible staff at Molly Ryan Retirement Village in New Plymouth for your very kind, attentive and dignified care of Dad over the last three years - not to mention all the fun and laughter also. We have much aroha, gratitude and respect for you all. Thank you very much also to Dr Irina Danych for your empathetic care of Dad and your time for us as family in discussing his health care. We would like to thank Kevin, Leo and Burt who were long time and special friends and supporters of Dad. You were family to him and to us all. To John and Tim at Molly Ryan, thank you both very much for your friendship, kindness and fun with Dad, which he so appreciated. You were all fantastic as the Three Musketeers. We would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Reverend Geoff Rodley for his grace, compassion and guidance during and after Dad's passing. Special thanks Geoff for your amazing service to celebrate and honour Dad's life. We know how much heart and soul you put into it. You are truly gifted. Grateful thanks also to the congregation of Brooklands Church. Thank you very much also to Emma and Chris for your kind, loving words in Dad's service. Many thanks to Brian Darth and his Funeral Services team for your kind support and care during this time. And thank you for the generous donations made to the New Plymouth Stroke Group, which were very much appreciated. Dad was and is a very special man in all our hearts, who loved his family and friends so much. We thank you all for the love, support, joy and fun you brought into his life. Special thanks to our whānau, the Jensen, Waite, Cook, Matheson and Hucker families for all the love and laughter you brought into Dad's life over the years. You were all so very special to Dad. We have been blessed and comforted by the kindness of so many, please accept this as a personal thank you from us all. While we are broken-hearted to lose you Dad, we know you are back in the arms of your beloved Joan, our beautiful Mum, whom you loved so dearly and missed so much.

There is a sacredness in tears.

They are not the mark of weakness,

but of power.

They speak more eloquently than

ten thousand tongues.

They are messengers of

Overwhelming grief,

and of unspeakable love.