Graham CRAWSHAW Obituary

CRAWSHAW, Graham William George. On 26 August 2012, in his 81st year, suddenly and peacefully at his home. Loved friend and husband for 53 years of Joan. Loved friend and father of Miriam and Mark Holloway, Jennie and Gerard Mullin, Richie and Linda Crawshaw, Cathryn and Neil Wellwood. Wonderful instigator of adventures and expeditions with his grandchildren, Rossi, Jackson, Ashford, Vinny and Freedom; Jordan, Isaac and Tama; Jodie and Nicky. "Master of inspiring children both young and old about literacy, learning, and living enthusiastically." A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday 30 August at Arapohue Bush Camp, Dargaville, at 11am. Messages to 1090 State Highway 1, RD3, Warkworth.

Published by The New Zealand Herald from Aug. 28 to Aug. 29, 2012.

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for Graham CRAWSHAW

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14 Entries

Well done, good and faithfull servant! I enjoyed many hours working on your projects at Windy Ridge, Wekaweka and Aropohue. Enjoy the reward of your labours.

Phil Norton

September 10, 2012

Sorry to hear of Grahams passing.He will now be enjoying the company of the Master Builder whom he served and loved.Our thoughts and prayers go to all the family.Que Dios les bendiga.Pedro y Val OGorman.

September 8, 2012

We were very saddened today to learn of Graham's sudden death. We had spoken with him only a few days before. We will miss him not only because of all the things that have already been spoken of but because he was a good friend. Over our many years of friendship Graham would often just pop in for a visit, inevitably unannounced, always encouraging, always brief as he hurried on, always inspiring and challenging as he shared his latest project or vision and always honest. We will miss him greatly and the world is a poorer place without him but he has gone to his great reward where there is no more need for demolition building materials! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family Joan.

Geoff & Gayle Stevens

September 3, 2012

We are sad to hear of Graham's parting, We had always hoped Jorge and I could visit him at Dargaville to learn from his vision. Graham has always been an amazing inspiration to Jorge and I, I know my Daddy will enjoy sharing with him endlessly in Heaven, by now they already must have a few new projects going. Thank you Graham for being one who taught us to believe in children. For His kingdom always, we shall carry you in our hearts, until we meet on the other side, Jorge and Grace Avendaño. Bogota, Colombia

September 3, 2012

Thank you for telling me when I was 17 that I could be the "best in the world" at whatever I choose to do -- and making me truly believe it. Graham was the ultimate champion for human potential and his gift for helping young people harness it has changed the world. I pray that those of us who felt Graham's magic will continue his kingdom-building by believing in others and helping them believe in themselves too.

David Read

September 2, 2012

I met Graham in 1963 and for 50+ years he has inspired me to "reach out, push boundaries and jump in". I'll never forget the clouds of borer dust as we nailed down new[?!!] flooring in his woolshed in Aropohue in order to create a kitchen and dining room for his boys camp...I questioned his resolve by saying something like " Graham,these boards are riddled with borer". He shot back " Don't worry mate, The Lord will come back before anyone will put a foot through these boards".

Boys camps were his passion. Not for ordinary boys [girls too, but mostly boys]. These children typically came from broken homes, 1000s of them... most sent from city areas by Birthright Foundation...and Graham loved them like a father. He told them Bible stories that helped them understand that they were loved by an eternal God with an unconditional everlasting love. He won their hearts by setting up bonfires, sausage sizzles, mud slides, possum hunting, eeling and wide games. I remember once when he had me post mortem one of his dead lambs, he marvelled at the powerful magnifying beauty of the lens I dissected from the lamb's eyeball. I laid it on newspaper...and the boys marvelled too. I hope the boys never forgot. He set up a charitable Trust for the running of the camps which,over the last 20 years or so, developed into "Reading Adventure Camps". Graham did this because he was appalled at many chilren's poor reading and writing ability. He often said and wrote that poor literacy in children is the biggest scandal in the NZ education system. He was fearless because he was convinced...and he got criticised by the education establishment. But, he was relentless in his crusade against illiteracy. In his camps, he used "phonics" to bring the reading level of many children up from "very poor" to a "functional literate" in 7 days using the Stanford University system.. He publicly championed the return of "phonics' to the classrooms of NZ. The NZ Institute of Education never showed interest in allowing teachers to reincorporate phonics back into the classroom.

He was my friend, mentor and an example for me to follow...I was privileged to know him.

Graham Crawshaw...I salute you. You have demonstrated the love of Christ. Your selfless zeal, with Joan your partner, has helped 1000s of young at-risk children find their way around pitfalls of life.

Deryck Read

Deryck Read

September 1, 2012

I first met Joan and Graham in 1966 and I have been privileged to hold them as dear friends ever since. Graham was a unique, passionate, driven and fearless man of God who was "strong with the Lord's mighty power". He was like this I am sure because he truly "put on all of God's armour" every day and took to heart the injunction of the Lord Jesus to "love one another as I have loved you".
There are countless young (and not so young) New Zealanders whose lives have been touched and changed because Graham cared enough for them and their needs to show them in very practical ways the love of the Lord Jesus.
Thank you God for such a man!
Joan, we appreciated you phoning us so much and our love and prayers are with you and the family.
Wendy Read

Wendy Read

September 1, 2012

Graham has been a family friend for years and years. My parents Deryck and Wendy Read knew Joan and Graham since they were young. I remember Graham as a kind gentleman with a sparkle in his eye and a slightly husky voice that seemed to be on the verge of a 'laugh' the whole time... He always spoke to us kids, with a keen eye, from when we were young. He spoke about God, and about the importance of being able to read and write well. He also asked us lots of questions about ourselves, and delighted in hearing our answers. He was a man that was genuinely interested in young people and always encouraged us to do something good for the King. You are a special man Graham. Im sure Jesus has been looking forward to spending time with you in his home for many years! God bless you and keep you in his perfect peace, You have been a giant for God. With love from Shane and Kirsty McConnell, Hope, Toby and Piper xo

Kirsty McConnell

August 31, 2012

I was very sad to hear today that Graham had passed away. I met Graham and his family nearly 30 years ago when I first attended the Arapohue Bush Camp. He was an inspirational man whom I will never forget. I have fond memories of the camps and his wonderful stories he used to tell, there were always plenty of laughs. He was a warm, caring man with a huge heart and an abundance of love to share around. I know that Graham will be greatly missed by everyone. RIP and all my love to the family. My thoughts are with you during this sad time. Emma Ritson

Emma Ritson

August 31, 2012

An extraordinary man. He and wife Joan did great work to improve literacy especially for under-privileged boys. A prominent New Zealand blogger has written a tribute here: http://pc.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/graham-crawshaw-1931-2012.html
And you can browse his website here:
http://windyridge.ning.com/

Sally O'Brien

August 30, 2012

I first met Graham as a teenager in 1962. His love for young people, especially the illiterate was amazing and even in these last months he wanted to talk about this consuming passion. He certainly lived life to the full and was a constant challenge to me to live enthusiastically. Well done, good and faithful servant! Richard Plummer

Richard Plummer

August 30, 2012

My late wife Rosemary painted the big planets/hands of God mural for the woolshed at the Bush camp when we taught at Arapohue 1962-4. Graham visited Kapiti perhaps 2-3 years ago. A wonderful man. Brian Hooper

Brian Hooper

August 30, 2012

We have lots of wonderful and special memories of you Graham , RIP all our love the Robertson Family xx

August 29, 2012

such a sad loss, we will miss him as our heighbour and friend.
Janet and Kevin Windyridge

August 29, 2012

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