Herbert DOWNS Obituary

Greetings from Bali. We were all very sad to hear that Burt had passed away. He was the original good keen kiwi man. Such a cheerful fellow with a limitless supply of jokes and funny anecdotes, and a wonderful memory of family and Taranaki history.
Please find a way to send our condolences to Doris and all her children. I am including a wee poem that you may have seen before. It has been around for a long time and I do not think anyone knows who wrote it originally, but I found that it gave me comfort each time I lost someone I loved, including Dad and Mum, and I have shared it with others who have appreciated the sentiments in their times of loss. I hope that it might comfort Doris and the family...including yourselves. Can you please see that she gets it? Thanx.


All our love and best wishes,
Patrick, Ea, Maya, Chris & Charlie.


When I am gone

When I am gone, release me. Let me go.

I have so many things to see and do.

You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears.

Be happy that we had so many beautiful years.


I gave to you my love. You can only guess

How much you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown,

But now it's time I travelled on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must.

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.



It's only for a while that we must part,

So bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away, for life goes on.

So if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.

And if you listen with your heart,

You'll hear all my love around you soft and clear.



And then, when you must come this way alone,

I'll greet you with a smile and say welcome home..

Sorry to hear of Bert's death, but please he was still out there with his boots on!! Thinking of you, Doris and family, take care our thoughts are with you all at this time. Joan and Bruce Coffey Morrinsville

Well its a sad time for all, especially for you Bert. I sought of felt kind of guilty I wasn't coming to the funeral, but then I thought, in reality neither are you really.

Which reminds me of that story you told me early in your farming career, when you were showing that Irish mate of yours around one of the treeless paddocks on the farm and you said ," hey Paddy look at that big dead bird" and Paddy replied as he looked all around the sky "where where!". You just smiled as you realised Paddy wasn't quite there either.

Anyhow good luck with your journey and if there is a heaven I hope it's full of people like you.

I love you Bert and although I am missing your daughter Caroline (Kelly) I know she will probably kill me if she happens to read this, so I might see you there.

Brent Adlam the other favourite son-in-law.

To the Downs Family. Sorry to hear of the passing of Bert. I remember many stories told by my late mother and father, Mollie and Bob Reader. The Reader family is thinking of you all at this sad time.

Bert, You were a great mate. We had so much fun in both work and pleasure during the 65 years we knew each other. I will cherish those many memories for ever. My sympathy goes out to all the family. Noel.

Deepest Sympathy to you Doris & family

So sad to hear of Bert's passing.A true gentleman
kindest regards to the family
Tony and Sandi French
(Gisborne)

Very sad to hear of Berts passing, and my thoughts are with you.
Regards

My condolences to the Downs family. And thank you Bert for many childhood lessons learnt, and sunrise and sunset memories at the family farm in Pukengahu. Hugs to you all.

With love to all for the many years of genuine friend,ship. Regards from Betty and Paul Jones, Mount Maunganui and Rae Loveridge & Keith Avery Tauranga

"Very sorry to hear of Bert's passing,our thoughts
Are with you butch,jean and family
From Craig,helen(Bellamy),Vanessa,William

DOWNS, Bert:
Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Kevin and Jean and much loved grandfather of Laura and Sami, Lloyd, and Lance and Janelle. Your help and kind caring ways will be missed beyond measure.
A loving lasting memory our grateful hearts will treasure.
A respected friend and mentor to many.

DOWNS, Herbert (Bert):
Suddenly at home with his boots on, on Monday, 2nd February 2015. Aged 83 years. Loving husband of Doris for 57 years. Loved father and father-in-law of Kevin and Jean, Caroline and Brent Adlam (Cairns), Graeme, Brenda and Peter Radich. Dearly loved grandad of Laura, Lloyd and Lance; Anna and Alisa; Barry, Shaylin and Abbie-Jean; Benjamin, Jared and Maria; Great-grandad of Madison. All messages to the Downs family please send to C/- PO Box 218, Stratford 4352. In preference to flowers a donation to The Heart Foundation would be appreciated and may be left at the service. Family and friends are invited to attend a service for Bert at the St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Cnr Miranda and Regan Streets, Stratford on Monday, 9th February at 11am. Followed by private cremation.