Toby’s Memorial

Just a reminder 15th-17th October.
Julie is trying to get a hand on numbers attending

Put me down as a possible.
Depends if I attend the SPARC Tarata shoot the following weekend.

11 odd weeks to goAttachment 282259

Counting down the days guys. Old Maca and I have our plan set in concrete.

10 years today, RIP Toby, forever young.

Can't believe it's that long. RIP young man.

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RIP Toby

RIP

I would have liked to have met the young man.

Every time I feel old and grumpy, Toby keeps me grounded and reminds me how lucky I am.
RIP young man.

Toby was way before my time on here but all I ever here is good things so he must have been one in a million. RIP

Wednesday morning I got up at my normal “sparrows fart” time of 0440 hours and after a quick coffee I hit the road and headed toward Tauranga to pick up @Maca49 and then head on down to Waikaremoana for the memorial. I was over the Bombay hill spot on an hour from home and at Maca’s in three hours and ten minutes. After a short break and a welcome coffee and dunny break we set out toward Rotorua where we fuelled up and then off toward Murupara and ultimately the lake. Despite Mother Nature trying hard to disrupt our trip with many slips, fallen trees and massive rock falls barring our progress, we pulled into the campground a shade after one o’clock. After a quick set up of sleeping bags in our chalet we wandered to the other side of the campground where Toby’s family were located. Crystal (sister) saw me first and yelled “RUSHY” and came up to me and gave me a warm embrace quickly followed by Toby’s mum (Julie) who set about giving me the bear hug of a lifetime.
Attachment 285822
The family had already set up a shrine to the memory of the remarkable young fellah and they and a number of Toby’s friends were going about the business of telling yarns and imbibing so it would have been rude of us not to have joined in. Many of you will recognise the shell that became Toby’s urn and may remember that it came about as the result of the combined efforts of no less than five of our talented forum members (I will most certainly never forget how much the little shit got up mine and Maca’s noses as we were decanting his ashes into it). That evening we feasted on some fine fare and then the cold set in so this sookie sea level Aucklander and Maca headed off shivering to the chalet amid jeers from the hardier country farmer types in their shorts and bare feet as our tripled up thermal layers were just not cutting it.

Thursday was the main day of the memorial activity and that evening’s gathering started quite early in the afternoon. A few more of Toby’s friends arrived (many of whom I recognised from his twentieth birthday and his funeral).
Attachment 285824
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Dinner was catered extremely well and after we had all been well fed Julie gave a heart felt address during which she made mention of how very much Toby appreciated the immense support that we all provided from the time he was hospitalised and up to the time of his death. Julie also mention the gratitude of the family toward the support that ensued from many of us in the years after he passed. After the very emotive speech a bottle of Toby’s favourite bourbon was poured into shot glasses and we all toasted to his memory. I have to admit that it was a fine drop and I confess to smacking back four shots of it in fairly quick succession (I am fairly sure that Maca’s headache this morning is indicative of the fact that he did similarly).
Attachment 285827
I count myself as privileged to have been a small part of this young man’s life and it was very much an honour to have taken part in this memorial. The grief that his family still feel is very palpable and their appreciation of our having attended was very evident when we came to leave this morning. The grip from his Toby’s brother Luke’s handshake spoke volumes with only but a few words uttered.

Julie, if perchance you happen to read this I truly appreciate your hospitality over the last three days.

:thumbsup:Excellent stuff Gents. Thanks for representing the forum

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rushy

Wednesday morning I got up at my normal “sparrows fart” time of 0440 hours and after a quick coffee I hit the road and headed toward Tauranga to pick up @Maca49 and then head on down to Waikaremoana for the memorial. I was over the Bombay hill spot on an hour from home and at Maca’s in three hours and ten minutes. After a short break and a welcome coffee and dunny break we set out toward Rotorua where we fuelled up and then off toward Murupara and ultimately the lake. Despite Mother Nature trying hard to disrupt our trip with many slips, fallen trees and massive rock falls barring our progress, we pulled into the campground a shade after one o’clock. After a quick set up of sleeping bags in our chalet we wandered to the other side of the campground where Toby’s family were located. Crystal (sister) saw me first and yelled “RUSHY” and came up to me and gave me a warm embrace quickly followed by Toby’s mum (Julie) who set about giving me the bear hug of a lifetime.
Attachment 285822
The family had already set up a shrine to the memory of the remarkable young fellah and they and a number of Toby’s friends were going about the business of telling yarns and imbibing so it would have been rude of us not to have joined in. Many of you will recognise the shell that became Toby’s urn and may remember that it came about as the result of the combined efforts of no less than five of our talented forum members (I will most certainly never forget how much the little shit got up mine and Maca’s noses as we were decanting his ashes into it). That evening we feasted on some fine fare and then the cold set in so this sookie sea level Aucklander and Maca headed off shivering to the chalet amid jeers from the hardier country farmer types in their shorts and bare feet as our tripled up thermal layers were just not cutting it.

Thursday was the main day of the memorial activity and that evening’s gathering started quite early in the afternoon. A few more of Toby’s friends arrived (many of whom I recognised from his twentieth birthday and his funeral).
Attachment 285824
Attachment 285825
Attachment 285826
Dinner was catered extremely well and after we had all been well fed Julie gave a heart felt address during which she made mention of how very much Toby appreciated the immense support that we all provided from the time he was hospitalised and up to the time of his death. Julie also mention the gratitude of the family toward the support that ensued from many of us in the years after he passed. After the very emotive speech a bottle of Toby’s favourite bourbon was poured into shot glasses and we all toasted to his memory. I have to admit that it was a fine drop and I confess to smacking back four shots of it in fairly quick succession (I am fairly sure that Maca’s headache this morning is indicative of the fact that he did similarly).
Attachment 285827
I count myself as privileged to have been a small part of this young man’s life and it was very much an honour to have taken part in this memorial. The grief that his family still feel is very palpable and their appreciation of our having attended was very evident when we came to leave this morning. The grip from his Toby’s brother Luke’s handshake spoke volumes with only but a few words uttered.

Julie, if perchance you happen to read this I truly appreciate your hospitality over the last three days.

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Not much to add @Rushy really enjoyed the three days, your always great company on a road trip. I have to admit to shedding a few tears hugging Julie after her tribute to her son. As you commented, it’s was great to be there on behalf of the forum he contributed so much to.
Julie and family warmly welcomed us, it was a tribute to Tony, the number of old mates that helped celebrate his life after 10 years.
It was a bit strange having no service for three days, Waikaremoana is one remote placeAttachment 285838Attachment 285839Attachment 285840