Sidney MANN Obituary

My name is Brent Cockerill friend and work colleague of Bruce.

We first met in 1995 during the Ammonia Urea Plant Upgrade (AURA). It was a small team, but we laid the groundwork for many careers, including those of Graeme Death and Paul Roberts. One of my standout memories of Bruce was his ingenious solution for transporting a 180-tonne reactor column from Port Taranaki to Kapuni. The challenge was that while the arch bridges from Inglewood to Kapuni could bear the weight, the approach abutments could not. After considering modified railway bogies from Australia, Bruce came up with a brilliant plan: rent Bailey bridges, distribute the load, and move the bridges as needed. It was a testament to his problem-solving skills and determination. Job done.

Bruce The legend, Great boss and leader, and my best friend. He was deeply committed to the stable values of honesty, integrity and loyalty. He loved talent, Taranaki providing an abundance, through the oil and gas sector. The two degrees of separation in the industry, meant many people intersected and crossed paths with him.

When I think of Bruce's many qualities, the first thing I think of is his sense of responsibility. If Bruce told you he was going to do something, you could be sure he would. He never missed deadlines. He had one of those incredible Engineers minds where he could look at a problem and analyse it, weigh the various factors and come up with a solution... He clearly was a man of passion about whatever he was involved with, a man of considerable intelligence.

Today, we gather to honour the life and legacy of my esteemed Mentor to myself and many more. Everyone needs a mentor in their lives and Bruce was the best SBM SUPER MANN. Bruce was not only a visionary leader but also a compassionate guide who inspired countless individuals to reach for their dreams, like the teams in Iraq the team at Kupe.

The team of worldwide bike stories are for others to tell, and I have been very grateful to hear these. Bruce approached everything with an infectious enthusiasm, whether it was exploring unfamiliar destinations, indulging in unique cuisines, or immersing themselves in novel adventures. We were all taught to live without fear, to welcome life's uncertainties with open arms, and to find happiness in the process.
I recall the day we met in Kathmandu - Nepal. June 2007, After 7 weeks riding their 650CC single cylinder Suzuki motorbikes from Islamabad in Pakistan through Tibet and Everest base camp. My wife Steph and I were sitting in the hotel bar in Nepal when these half a dozen bow legged steel cowboys walked in and straight passed us, until we called them back to say Hi! Was priceless to see the smiles and recognise a couple of kiwi faces. It was a pleasure to join them for dinner that night.

As we say goodbye to Bruce, let us carry forward the lessons Bruce imparted and the values Bruce embodied. Though Bruce may no longer walk beside us, his legacy of inspiration and empowerment will live on in the lives he touched and we can all carry that legacy forward to inspire the next generation. Holding tight to the bonds of family.

We had the pleasure of spending time with Bruce during some of his visits to British Columbia. He regaled us with tales of his adventures and was kind enough to extend an invitation to join his trek in India. We learned about his work, sampled brews and NZ wines and discussed the relative merits of rugby and Canadian football. Bruce had proposed a trip to New York so we could see his beloved All Blacks play `true´ football - we regret that we will not have that opportunity.
Bruce lived well and clearly touched many lives. Rest easy - Garry & Mary Tremain

I offer my condolences on the sudden passing of Bruce, I worked with Bruce during the Challenge petroleum days and have fond memories of Bruce.
Sincerely
Keith Braithwaite

I am so sorry to hear of Bruce´s sudden death. Such a quirky man keeping us entertained when he joined us at the occasional social bridge evening. So many stories of his intrepid motor biking adventures. May condolences to Catherine, Rebecca, Toby, Sophie and Luke.

We are shocked and saddened to hear of Bruce´s death . Our thoughts are with you Catherine and family as you deal with your grief .
Sorry we can´t be with you Catherine we are in UK but be assured our thoughts are with you .

He welcomed me despite me not being related by blood. I'm sorry to see him leave us, and I hope everyone is doing well.

So hard to beleive that such a brilliant man with such a huge zest for life, has been taken so suddenly. Sincerest condolences to all the Mann family and Bruces' tight circle of friends. Fridays will never be the same again without you calling in for lunch and then popping back later for a guiness or two. Sadly missed and fondly remembered from all of us at The Good Home.

I am so sorry and shocked to hear of Bruce´s passing. Tessa and I send our condolences to Catherine and the family. Chris and Daniel send their best wishes to Sophie and Luke. Bruce and I spent a lot of time together at work at Synfuel and then in Darwin and WA with Methanex. We became good friends. He loved his family and often spoke over a drink, about trying to support them through life´s journeys.
Bruce was a true Master of Construction, the most difficult of the key success factors of any major new project. Bruce was able to communicate with people of all types to achieve results. He wanted to help people with his knowledge and skills. In Darwin he talked to the Government to set up construction skills training for the Larrakia (the project did not proceed). He wanted to help rebuild Iraq. I think that took a toll on Bruce, with his fear of being bombed.
Bruce was a true adventurer, mainly on his beloved bike. We also had some great times together. The highlight was in 2010 we had 3 days together on Islay, Scottish whisky tasting. The attached photo from Islay with myself, Howard Findlay, and Bruce raising a glass of red wind says it all.
Farewell Bruce, cheers, we will all miss you so much!!

Condolences to Catherine and family.
Bruce was a lovely man and it was a pleasure helping him with his travels.

I met Bruce on April 28, 2011 at the Maya Vista Restaurant in Tela, Honduras. It was an evening of celebrations as he and a group of rowdy friends were finishing up a ride through Central America and I was spending a final evening with a group of co-volunteers from Honduras Child Alliance. That chance meeting was the start of a long and wonderful friendship between a Canadian and a New Zealander. Over the past 13 years Bruce and I enjoyed travel adventures in various countries. Many of our adventures were spent exploring British Columbia from bottom to top, in all seasons and in temperatures from -30° to + 30° C! Bruce learned to snowshoe, be a lumberjack and build a campfire. He discovered the Okanagan and the delicious wines produced there. Bruce also saw first hand the scenery in majestic Rocky Mountains, the Fraser Canyon, the Peace River area and was able to say he drove the famous Alaska Highway. Back in our home countries, the internet allowed us to keep in touch and share stories.
The saying 'you never know what you've got 'til it's gone' is so true. I will miss my travel companion, my pen pal, my very good friend. My heart goes out to his children Rebecca, Toby, Spohie, Luke, their partners and the grandchildren Bruce so dearly loved.
Good bye Bruce, I will miss you. Thandi xoxo

To Bruce's family, so shocked and saddened to hear Bruce has passed away. A great guy gone way to soon. May he rest peacefully. Condolences to you all. Kevin and Glenda Shaskey

Sincerest Condolences to the Mann Family for your loss, I worked with Bruce at stage 2 Mangahewa site,and had many chats with him after that when seeing him town and around,..A great Spirit, I will surely miss him,..

Our condolences to Bruce´s family. It saddened us to hear that he had passed away. We met Bruce in 2015 through a family member. He stayed with us for several days. During that time, we also took a short trip to the Champagne region in France. To us, he was an easy going and very pleasant man. We kept in touch via an occasional emails after his visit.

So very sorry to hear of Bruce's passing, our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Regards Brent and Maree and team at Stars Travel

My condolences to Bruce's family.

I worked with Bruce during the construction of Kupe Oil and Gas Production Station where he was the Construction Manager and I was the HR Recruitment Officer. He was brilliant to work with. Very witty, a true gentleman and very professional. It was a pleasure to be a colleague with him and his team.

Saddened by Bruce´s passing. Have known him since Olivia St days in Stratford. He visited me when I was with Defence Housing Authority in Darwin. I took him through Robertson Barracks where the recently retired Governor General of Australia was the Brigadier commanding officer. My sympathies for Catherine and family.
Chris Stringer
Brisbane .

Saddened to read of the passing of Bruce.
I always enjoyed his visits.
Condolences to the family.

Regards
Colin

Sincere condolences to the Mann family. Catherine, Toby, Rebecca and Sophie, I am very saddened to hear the news of Bruce. Such an adventurer and always enjoyed listening to his stories of where he had been on the motorbike and the exotic work locations and the trips/holidays he took Toby on. Big hugs, Kia Kaha.
Jonathan