Rest in peace, Les and Gwen Pooch
Gwendoline Nora Duffus, born 11th December 1919, died 9th June 2009
| Funeral Service: | Links: | Inquiries: |
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Les's
funeral was held on 23rd April 2005 Approx 350 people attended Click to read the service The death notice and obituary are shown below: |
Pucci
(Les's) Family Tree
|
Geoff
Pooch 9 Olympia Place Hamilton, NZ Ph (07) 858 3432 |
Pooch,
Leslie Arthur JP passed away peacefully in his 82nd year at
home in Birkenhead on 14 April 2005 surrounded by family. Dearly loved wife of
Gwen for 59 years, father of David, Wilma, Mary-Anne, Geoffrey. Grandfather of
Aaron, Rachel, Amy, Niki,
Jessica, Tenzin, Timothy, Stevie. Great-grandfather of Erana and
Tai. Father-in-law of Ian, Alan, Judy and Chris.
A
Service will be held at the Zion Hill Birkenhead Methodist Church at 11.00 AM
on Sat 23 April.
Dad
asked for friends to bring a flower from their own garden to place on the
casket.
Special
thanks to all those who supported Les and the family over his last few weeks
Communications
to Pooch family 10 Bridge View Rd Birkenhead 1310 www.pooch.co.nz
Obituary from the North Shore Times Advertiser:
| "If I have shown any kindness to my
fellow man, then all I ask in return is that you reflect that kindness by
taking care of Gwen until she joins me later." These parting words from North Shore man Les Pooch about his wife of 59 years were typical of how he lived his life- always thinking of others. Leslie Arthur Pooch, 81, died at his home surrounded by family members on April 14. Mr Pooch was a well known and popular member of the community on the North Shore having lived in the Birkenhead since 1950. In 1960 he began his own printing business Mercury Printing in the Auckland suburb of Mt Eden, a business he went onto run for 25 years. He later moved some of his printing equipment to his home in Birkenhead where he did smaller printer jobs for people. Over the years he also travelled extensively throughout the world as a popular tour party leader. During his lifetime Mr Pooch received a series of awards in recognition of his service to various community groups. Mr Pooch received the 1990 Medal "in recognition of services to New Zealand." In 1993 he received the New Zealand New Zealand Education Award by then Governor General Dame Kath Tizard for outstanding service and support at Birkenhead Kindergarten. In 1996 North Shore City Council presented him with a civic award for voluntary services to the North Shore Community, |
In 2003 he received the Freemasons prestigious
Rose Croix d' honeur in recognition of his services within the club. He was
one of the first in New Zealand to be appointed as a marriage celebrant
and went onto conduct over 1500 weddings in the Auckland region. Family members say Mr Pooch was never one to sit still for long and was always finding ways to help others. Even while on holiday at the beach he could often be found organising activities for families or help local groups fundraise. When he learned that he did not have long to live he set about writing his own order of service and chose poems and hymns to be sung at his own funeral. His son Geoffrey says because he conducted so many services himself it was only natural that he almost conduct his own. More than 300 people turned out to his funeral at Zion Hill Methodist Church, a testament to Mr Pooch's popularity. He even wrote his own comprehensive life history and had it published on a website www.pooch.co.nz Friends and family will remember him as a man who was always ready to listen and help. They say he always had words of encouragement or advice for those who sought it. He is survived by his wife Gwen and his children; David, Wilma, Mary-Anne and Geoffrey. He also had eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. |