Gary DENT Obituary

Mr Dent. Gary. Well what can I say...firstly I'm deeply saddened to hear of your passing some 5 1/2 years ago (I have only found out today). You were a truly wonderful teacher & massive influence on me back in Form 2 in 1986 at St Heliers Primary School, Auckland. We shared the same love of football (soccer to some) & you made me captain of the school team. I'm pleased to tell you that I'm still an avid West Ham fan to this day. Thanks for believing in me & helping me prepare for the high school journey. I'll never forget the skills & ideas you passed on to me & valuable advice you always provided. I remember you making the move back down to Taranaki & I'm thrilled to read that a wonderful marriage & 2 children followed. May you rest in peace. You are a hero to so many people, most of all your ever loving family. Gone by never ever forgotten.

miss you Dad, wish you were here to see me going to law school (as was always my dream) and aiming to help people with my work; in the way that you always did. I'll never love a man as much as I love you, and I hope I can make you proud. Thank you for being my protector and guardian angel, Alex is now filling that role (I hope you're proud of him too). I'll miss you for forever and a day.

Our deepest condolences to Anne and family. To Jack, Peggy and your family you are all in our thoughts at such a sad time.
Gary will always be remembered with such fond memories from the Marfell school days. Love Gayleen, Grant and Craig Roberts

Thank you Gary for believing in my son and giving him an opportunity that learning can be fun. You instilled in all of your charges that respect was not a right and that it had to be earned, you were that leader!
To the whanau, Kia Kaha Kia Maia Kia Manawanui
May you rest easy and fly free of pain.

I was saddened to hear of Garys death.My thoughts are with you all at this time

Our deepest sympathy to Anne, Alex and Grace. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Stay strong. All our love and friendship. Tracey, Rob, Janelle, Ethan Tate. Bell Block

Our deepest sympathy to Ann and the family on the loss of Gary. Gary was a most valued member of the Taranaki Literacy Association for many years as well as our treasurer . We remember him as a very special man and will miss his imput into the association.
Our thoughts are with you.
Taranaki Literacy Association members

Thinking of you all at this very sad time.
Gary was a caring Principal at Waitara East and will be sadly missed.

Gazza... fun times at Waitara East School. From basketball games, school camps and School fun days, to our principle whom all our kids adored, you will live on in all of our hearts. Our aroha to all of your whanau. I am honoured to have had the chance to have my children under your loving eye and all of Waitara Easts kaitiaki that have been or are still there today. No more suffering Gazza. Peace be unto you. Arohanui. Vicki, Toni, Brent, Tridah, Jackie, Vincent & Wyatt. ???

Gazza... alot of fun memories ya bugga. From basketball, camps and school fun days. You will smiles and cheek back to me will never be forgotten. I am honoured to have known you. Arohanui to the whanau. Vicki, Toni, Tridah, Jackie, Vincent & Wyatt.

Love and thoughts are with you at this sad time. Jenni Seed and family

Gary was a great teacher with whom I had the pleasure of working with at Waitara Central. He shared his experiences and knowledge with me as a beginning teacher which helped me to understand
what teaching was all about. My thoughts are with you all at this time.

Very sorry to read of your loss. My thoughts are with you at this sad time.

Sincere sympathy to the Dent family and the Waitara East School, board, Staff and pupils. Gary will be sadly missed by many in the Education Sector of Taranaki.

A top man taken way to soon.Love to you and your family,
Will always be remembered,
Angela,Murray,Jordan,Zo'e and Blake x

Anne, Alex & Grace, my thoughts are with you at this sad, sad time. You have lost such a special person far too soon and I know you have many happy memories of him - we are sorry you didn't have the time together to creat many more. Rest In Peace Gary as you watch over your family and friends x

Anne, Alex and Grace and Gary's extended family and friends. We send you our love and sympathy at the loss of such a good guy. Always thought of with much fondness and a smile. Love from Karen, Lee, Arlo and Marika England.

Gary you touched so many lives, you will be missed. To the extended Dent family our thoughts are with you all in this sad time.

From The Bullot family
Noel, Janet, Gavin, Julie, Bradley, Cameron, Adele and Kimberley.

RIP to one of the best principals ive had the privelige to have known. while my boys attended waitara east school, Thro all the good and bad times my boys ever had, mr dent was always there, always carm, and always with a smile. Thank you.
Kim, Jamie and boys

GARY a man that will be sadly missed by our family, someone who always saw the good in my children.
I will miss you lots Mr Dent.
You will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace.
from Lynice Logan Caitlyn
The Anderson Family

Gary was the principal of Pukekawa primary school while I was a student, and I am sad to hear he passed away. I have fond memories of him. My condolences to his family.

Thank you so much for all the love and dedication you so kindly gave to all of my grandchildren that you have had in your care over the years. You will always be in our hearts and will never be forgotten. Arohanui to all of your whanau in the tough times you have already gone through and the tough times yet to come. Kay Brunning

Anne, Alex and Grace, you are in my thoughts at this sad time. A gentle, kind hearted, caring man has been taken too soon.

Dear Anne, Alex and Grace, we heard of Gary's passing this morning and are shocked and saddened by the news. Gary was one of the very best and the impact he had on Pukekawa Primary School as Principle was immense. We wish you strength, guidance and love through your grief and your journey from now. Much love and blessings to you all. - Jane, Gary, Aaron and Marc Crisp

Dear Anne, Alex & Grace thinking of you at this sad time. Gary was the most amazing man he was kind & thoughtful and we will remember him always as someone who was always there for our kids above everything we are lucky to have known him and shared many funny times....remember those trips to Rotorua, they were funny as and one or two drinking sessions as well in good old Pukekawa we have nothing but great memories of you. May you rest in peace . Fly high with all the other angels in the sky xxxx love and hugs from the Cross Family Pukekawa

Uncle Gary, you have gone to soon but now you are at peace and in no pain and you can watch over your family from up there. You will be missed dearly!!
We wish we could be there at this time but sadly we can't our love goes out to you Aunty Anne, Alex and Grace xxxx

One of a kind and a heart of Gold x a man who will always be remember and never forgotten... arohanui x

Gary you were a wonderful man. Thank you for your advice when I needed it as principal.....I always knew I could rely on your wisdom. It has been a privalige to get to know you and your Anne, Alex and Grace and we will always treasure their friendship and be there for them. " May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. . And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand." Love Trish, Dave and Lucy. X

To the family of Gary I'm very sad to hear the news. I first met Gary when I was 10; I played soccer for Manawatu and he for Taranaki. We billeted him in PN and I stayed with him when we played in Taranaki.It was a friendship I'll never forget , young boys with a passion, in between we exchanged letters. Years later we ended up being at teachers college together in PN and then unfortunately went out own ways in life. My sister Carolyn Parker (nee Moody) told me of the news when we were in Waitara over Easter. I found some very old photo's of Gary back when we shared our love for soccer. All my wishes are with you, I have THE BEST memories of Gary. Take care, Love Ian Moody

We will miss you Gary (BG). Your friendship was a big part of our lives and we loved the times we had with you and your family. You have made a positive difference to many people - a real treasure. Our thoughts are with you Ann,Alex and Grace. Love Dave (Pipes) Christina and Ella.

mr dent . such an inspiring man not much i can say but you are a true soldier ! you inspired me when i was younger and you continue to do so . To the kids and mrs dent my heart is with you at this time. Kia kaha whanau xox



M A N A

Mihi aroha ki a koutou Ann, Alex and Grace. I will always treasure the years I worked with Gary. He had great integrity and a heart for our tamariki. He will be sadly missed by the Waitara Community. Tangi ana toku ngakau.

Thank you for welcoming me aboard the W.E.S staff and whanau Gary. You have been a guiding strength for many over the 10 years I have known you.
To Anne, Alex and Grace, may the legacy your darling husband and Dad has left behind and the wonderful memories you have, help give you strength and hope. x

Privileged to have known you Gary. Condolences to the immediate family and also to the Waitara East whanau. .

Hello Mr Dent
We are going to miss you very much at school but you are not sick or sore anymore :)
im sure you will have your wings now to fly very high my brother and i will make you very proud with our work from school.
From Deuel and Lenox Nevin
Waitara East School

Dear Anne, Grace & Alex, I can only imagine how sad and stunned you all must be. Many many tears for you and much love to you. I am so sorry. Much love Molly.

I aspire to be a giver.
A giver of knowledge,
A giver of good values and a giver of strength,

I aspire to be a giver.
A giver of respect,
A giver of time and a giver of love.
I aspire to be like you.

An awesome principal lost The help he gave to my family when we needed it. Such a gentle humble guy, He had a real love for Waitara and the kids! Im stoked to have known him. Loved how I'd see him up at the netball courts supporting the kids! Playing in the Parent/teacher basketball games against the kids! Big loss for Waitara East School and for Waitara. Thoughts and big love to your family Gary x From Lisa Chalyss and Indigo x

Gary was the most awesome colleague. His heart for the kids at Waitara East and the Waitara community is why he was the most brilliant Principal. His collegial support helped me in my journey at Waitara High and I will be forever in his debt.

To the Dent family, Gary was a wonderful man, who always made time to sit and chat, no matter if he was busy or not, his students and family where always important to him. Please accept our heart felt sympathy in your loss.
The Moody Family

To Anne Grace and Alex all the Love and Light your way to guide you through this time of true sadness. Just know that for every person who had their hearts touched by Gary we are all thinking of you now. Arohanui xox

Dear Anne, Alex and Grace,
Gary was an amazing bloke, a true gentleman, a great teacher and principal. One of the greats has been taken way too soon.
Our love and prayers to you all in your time of sadness.
Arohanui,
Kevin, Clare, Jeff & Tamsyn Bush

A lovely man taken far too soon, what a privelage it was to know you Gary xox From Ricky, Sharon, Blade Tayla and Jaxon Chadwick

To Anne, Alex and Grace, You are in our thoughts. We wish you love and strength in this most difficult time. Love Anne, Simon, Joshua and Jack Boulton

Farewell to a good kind man who has been taken too soon. A man who towered above many of us, who lead by good example of kind heart and excellent character. I Will always remember his chuckle, his smile and how he always put others first. If every man could take a leaf out of his book the world would be a greater place. Our greatest sympathy to Anne, Alex, Grace and extended family.
RIP Gary.

Was saddened to hear of your passing,made many a visit to the school as the Truancy Officer and your passion for our Tamaraiki and community was so evident,may you rest in peace and my condolences to your whanau

Dear Anne, Grace and Alex,
Many blessings to you all, you are in our thoughts, much love, Helen, Phil, Patrick and Owen Tully

Thanks Gary for a fantastic friendship. All those great times we had camping were magic. Your humour and companionship will be sorely missed. All that texting, sports trips and times spent together were pure gold. You made a great impact on our lives and in this world. Our thoughts are with Anne, Alex and Grace. We will never forget you. Love Mike, Karen, Dave and Jacqui Shakes.

To Gary, you were one of the best, taken far too soon. Dear Anne, Alex and Grace, thinking of you all with love, Debbie and Hayley MacWilliam.

Gary, you were one of the best, taken far too soon. Dear Anne, Alex and Grace, thinking of you all with love, Debbie and Hayley MacWilliam, Pukekawa.

Thinking of you and your family. Rest and peace. Lisa, Sonny, Micheala

Heartfelt condolences and love to Anne, Alex and Grace in this time of loss.
Ar dheas Dé go raibh a anam.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

In Memory of a loving & caring person Gary you will be sadly missed by all.Thank you for being apart of our lives while my child attended your school. Our condolences to Anne and both your children & family at this sad time R.I.P. from Stacy & Emily Brown

Mr Dent, thanks for giving me a chance and for believing in me, all those years ago at Highlands Intermediate. They say there is always one teacher in your life at school that makes a difference, you were that teacher for me. Thanks for everything Mr Dent.

Thanks Gary for always being available to chat you where a fantastic Principal and you will be sorely missed by the pupils of Waitara East

DENT, Gary Alexander (Boss). — Waitara East School staff, children and whanau would like to extend to Anne, Alex and Grace their heart felt sympathy in their loss of a much loved husband, friend and father.
Gary, you will always be a part of Waitara East School. You have been a guiding light and an inspiration to us all. You will forever be our “Boss” but first and foremost a friend to us all. We will miss your presence, your laughter, your humour, your strength, your compassion, your fighting spirit for all you believed in and your love of Waitara. You will always be with us. Your legacy and promise of MANA will live on in our hearts and the spirit of our community.
Kua hinga e te Totara
o te Waonui
He Rangatira e manaaki
ana iwi
Hokia ki t Maunga kia purea i ng hau o Twhirimtea.
N reira, moe mai r