Eric THORRINGTON Obituary

Dad Phoebe and Aston 15 months at 90-mile beach long lining.
Mum had passed away in February and Dad and went up to Ahipara for 3 days. It took us nearly 7 hours from Auckland. This was related by many rest stops. A little-known fact is dad knew where every public toilet in New Zealand was as a young man he was a travelling sales man and traveling New Zealand with the rowing crews and drinking buckets of beers necessitated a highly evolved awareness of these things.
On the way Nth we also stopped at Kawa Kawa went to the hundervasser dunnie and went to the TAB, this in itself was a long process and as the TAB was in the pub that drew things out further.
It was a very lovely drive to be with Dad and get him out of the house, though we travelled with the spectre of having lost Mum, this was so confronting for Dad having lost Mum and being completely lost himself.
I could feel how surreal this was for him as a person as a Man and he endured this as he did all thing with dignity and a quite grief.
We got to the beach mid afternoon and had a lovely few hours fishing with Astons other Great Grandfather Murry Yates, it was the first time they had meet and it was lovely to see the meeting of two men of sincerity and goodness.

Dads Anniversary 18th 10th 2022
In Dads last 4 years without Mum, we spent a lot of nights sitting up Late watching old movies on Turner classic movies
As Dads vascular dementia progressed quickly it was a comfort to him
Vascular dementia effects immediate and short-term memory.
So how this work was we would watch a movie from his past and he would remember it well and know the nuanced parts and tell me what was coming next
However, it also meant as soon as we had watched the movie, he could not recall watching it.
As Sad as that was it had value in keeping Dad entertained.
Charlie Tarr downloaded 178 westerns onto a hard drive and we set Dad up with that. We could watch say Rio Bravo on Turner then watch it immediately after on the hard Drive
It would go like this...... I would put on Rio Bravo a few minutes after Dad and I had just watched it. He would say something like you´ll like this movie Brian.... I don´t like John Wayne but Dean Martin is great in this and Angie Dickinson is worth a look, stay and watch it with me you´ll really like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wP3fEk7vk4
4th anniversary of Dad Passing away
4 years today a long time with out you Dad and even longer without Mum 2018 and 2014 respectively.
It hard to find the words but both of you live on in the hearts and minds of those who loved and new you both
I talked to Phoebe tonight, Im overseas and Phoebe in Aotearoa and talked about your anniversary both missing you together.
Whenever I felt far from home when we had you both with us I could call and talk it out, buts that no longer possible and I felt a waves of grief wash over me tonight I wanted to call you and tell you how much I missed you both and tell you that it was hard not being able to tell you that absurd I know.
I didn´t help as I was sing some off your favourite songs it´s a bitter sweet torture but id rather face that than pretend it doesn´t have impact or existed
I don´t know if this writing and messages is Cathartic or not but its certainly and outlet for emotion which today is raw ...... I have had your words you´d say to me most nights running through my mind .... Why don´t you have a drink it will do you good
Im on my way to the fridge xx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g3bzPjKgZI
For Dad

The 9th race today at Mooney Valley, the 100th running of the Cox plate . A great finish with the field lining up on the home turn and the favorite that had been sitting in a handy 4th/5th came through with about 400 to go and took the lead paying about 2.50 it was the perfect run. There was a horse named alligator blood paying $26
I watched it in a sports bar at a golf club in Surabaya and would have been on Alligator blood because of the name not form, but they dont have TABs in Java which was a lucky thing, so as you would say Dad I saved my dough.
I missed you both even more being that far from you and a home now years gone . And the longing for you both will never leave me no matter how great the passing of time its the opposite it grows more profound

Aunty Shirley's four Sons with Brian & Grant Thorrington
From Left Paul and David Coombe Brian Thorrington Tony Coombe Grant Thorrington Peter Coombe

Aunty Shirley with her Great Niece Phoebe Thorrington at her Christening

Dad and Aunty Shirley with David Coombe and Brian Thorrington. Tapu circa 1985

COOMBE, Shirley Rae (nee Thorrington). Beloved daughter of Albert (Alf) and Gladys (Nin) Thorrington Dearly loved sister of the late Eric Thorrington and sister-in-Law of Anne. Aunty to Brian, Titien, Grant, Dawn Great Aunty to Phoebe Henry and James Great Great Aunty to Aston and Kawa A dignified, refined and elegant woman now with her beloved Trevor Loved admired and respected by all her family and friends Our hearts go out to all the family Brian Thorrington and Family

I am very sad to learn of my Dear cousin Shirley's passing.
I write on behalf of my late Father and Mother William and Jessie Horton (Jessie nee Thorrington)
And my late sister Ailie all of whom loved Shirley very much.
Shirley was so pretty, so shy and so sweet as a little girl and grew into a woman of dignity and beauty
I have the fondest memory of many happy times spent as a child together visiting our Grandmother Elenore Thorrington in Mackelvie Street in Ponsonby and family outings, get togethers and picnics .
We came from the closest, happiest and kindest of families, as a family we all just loved each other company and these wonderful memories have been with me through a life time
Shirley was deeply in love with her late husband Trevor and I believe she will be so happy to be with Trevor again
I will miss you my dear cousin.
Until we meet again Enid
Enid Horton
Family

COOMBE, Shirley Rae. Peacefully at Thames Hospital, on 4th August, 2022; aged 91 years. Beloved wife of the late Trevor, much loved mother and mother-in-law of Paul, Tony and Erin, Peter, David and Emily. Loved Nana of her many grandchildren. 'At peace with Dad'. A private cremation has taken place.

From Tony

Sorry to tell you Dad and Mum Aunty Shirley passed away. Aunty Shirley was Dads younger sister.
I have posted Her Death Notices from Tony and the Boys and a notice I posted on Behalf of Gran Kark Yourself and Mum and the family along with a lovely posting from Aunty Enid xxx

Your Great grandson Kawa with eggs from his Nanny ones hen house. He is a very happy little boy

Born 29th of July 1928
We are thinking of you today Dad. Phoebe, Aston Titien and I. we told Kawa it was you birthday he is 2 now and was singing a great rendition of Happy Birthday in a strange deep baritone. Very clear and very cute Birthdays are his number one auspicious occasion.
He's yet to figure out who you are but your mentioned daily to him.
He's very big on Uncle Victor who I have on my Phone screen
He says Uncle Vic is very sick which as technically true, having died in action at Messines Ridge the first week of June in 1917.

Im picturing you playing a harp drinking a Captain Morgan's with angles wings
I hope that's close to the truth.
In honor of your birthday Meteor showers are predicted tonight and for the next few nights I wondering if you can see them from where you and Mum are xxx

Watching the Wallabies play England . Nick (bandy) White is having a great game. He played a great season for your favorites the Brumbies.
Oliver is watching the game live in Bali and giving me comments in Java. Hopper is still captaining The Wallabies and playing fantastic rugby still his eyes are still to close together as you often pointed out

Dad and Mr Len Edwards Mr Edwards! Mr Edwards was a massage client of Dads and became a great friend to Dad and the Family over many years and a nicer man you would never meet.
Mr Edwards sat with Dad at home at Haigh Access Road on the Saturday afternoon the day before Dad passed. Sir Bob Harvey and another dear mate Paul Thomson came to the home to visit Dad and the family and we went down to Browns Bay for lunch and a beer while Mr Edwards Keep Dad company. I was too anxious and could not relax and both Bob and Paul said come on mate let´s get you back to Dad.
So, we went home and drank tea and my nephew Henry showed Paul how to really play guitar as Paul was learning and Henry is magical with the instrument.
We have been blessed with the most amazing friendships due to Dads kindness and huge value placed on his mates.

I spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Kent today . It was lovely to talk to them Mr. Kent is 86 now they are both doing really well and both sound very good. They are facing a cold winter both both in great spirts .
I will go and see them later this year when im in New Zealand.
Mr. Kent was saying how much pleasure you Mum and both of them got for owning the race horse together. It was a lovely conversation with 2 very lovely people .. You chose your friends well and they are both testament to that fact

Dad loved Westerns and there were many favorites,
but Shane was number one. It stared Alan Ladd
It spoke to Dads Character his sense of fare play and right and wrong, on the side of the underdog standing up for someone weaker who was prayed upon by some one bigger or just simply bullied.

Mum and Dad going to the TeAroha races

The first Tuesday in November also know as Melbourne cup day

I had a bet for you and Mum Today Dad, an outsider but a good stayer .
It was Uk breed in Ireland and trained in Ballarat, called Floating Artist it picked up a lot of betting before the start and went out pay $14 it rain a fairly close first

A New Zealand horse won which was great Verrry Elegant paying 18 and 5
I could not watch it so listened to it on the radio with Phoebe Aston and Kawa

It was also so lovely to watch the Cup race with you both and even better was the fact that you went to Melbourne and watched the race live so many times Mum and your friends.

The sport of Kings gave you both so much pleasure and I new long before I lost you Dad I would miss the sound of race calls on a Saturday.
So now days I just tune in to have the familiar sound a sound of a life time as background on a Saturday Avro.
Mister Kent said and I told you this that they and all your racing friends had the greatest times together travelling the country to race meetings and that you Dad, were just always so much fun to be with.
I passed that on to you as he told me when I was down in Palmerston Nth when phoebe was studding at Massey and Id gone round for dinner with the Kent's and Mr. Kent was chuckling at some private recollection and said Eric was always the life of the party. And Anne agreed .

You lived a life well spent and enjoyed all the things you loved with Mum and that as good as it gets and that its great to know as you son.
I will try for a place for us next year
Brian

The Allblacks play Whales early this morning.

It would have been tea and toast with you and Mum at half time.
The rituals of a life time .I always think in these moments to call you but realize at once your gone and the reality of that is there at once and its still not possible to come to terms with that .

The Welsh singing was wonderful as ever and Cardiff Alms Park an iconic rugby venue was always your favorite. The Allblacks won comfortably but the venue and the atmosphere made the game seem closer.
I watched the replay of the Haka with your two great Grandsons Aston who you both new and little Kawa who is 19 months old now. He's about two months into talking and putting two words together now.
He is the opposite of Aston loud and non stop.
He loves the Haka and shouts HEEEE at the end.
You would have loved him he's a boy through and through, rough and tumble but very loving and like you Dad hates dirty hands and has to have them washed often he leant the word sticky and dirty very early on.

I watched Tonga play Scotland and the Scottish Anthem was always both your favorites and I wept at the thought of that as I watched the Scottish team sing it at the top of the voices really lovely the power of song and patriotisms.
its the Allblacks Whales again next Saturday so I will have tea and toast in your memory.

Two years today two long years without you. I mourn your loss daily both you and Mum and I tell myself this is life but there is only a faint solace in this thought.
The real fact is that you were both irreplaceable your love your kindness both of your intrinsic goodness lives on however in the day to day lives of those who learnt from you and who loved you.
Your love was eternal made of more than just mortal bonds and lives on as only true love can in its purest of forms
Brian

Article in North Shore Times21.7.06
Newsletter No. 2 2006 Page 3
T hey were once opponents in the boxing
ring but 61 years on Alan Delaveau and
Eric Thorrington are still good mates.
Mr Delaveau and Mr Thorrington recall that
boxing played a prominent part of life at Takapuna
Grammar School in the 1940s.
Boxing was thriving and many American
servicemen stationed in Auckland were in
bouts at the Auckland Town Hall.
Lunchtime classes were held for most of the
year culminating in the school championships.
For this event a boxing ring was set up on
the girls hockey field bordering Lake and St
Leonard's roads and the boys were given the
afternoon off to watch.
The participants wore white singlets, shorts
and sandshoes.
In 1944 Mr Thorrington and Mr Delaveau met
in the final of the open championship.
With their bleeding noses and blood-spattered
clothes, about 350 yelling schoolboys and many
adult spectators in St Leonards Rd, the atmosphere
was electric.
Mr Thorrington narrowly won on points.
Mr Delaveau won the school open championship
in 1945, and the Air Training Corps middleweight
championship in the Auckland Town
Hall.
The two good friends often reminisce about
their boxing days.
Glove at first sight for mates
World

I sense spring ...I feel it ...know it inside of me, 10,000 miles away
know about now you would have been sitting drinking tea with Mum after a massage,
out on the deck as the season turns
the first daffodils
the beginning of the slow fazes
as this season slides slowly towards the long heat of summer
Mum in her straw had weeding a little each day she would say gets the job done
Aunty Ouida's freisures fragrant plethora of colours flatted buy squally south wester's that persist out into September and always got you complaining
the slow green of the deciduous leaves from bud to lime green
Nana Macs Oak the liquid Amber like bunches of lettuce
the wattle suddenly a vibrant red as the tips flair with colour then fading to a waxy amber then settling into a summer green
the Christmas plumb tree like snow always cover in blossom
these last few springs of Dads no longer out and about much
I cut branches and set them in a vase beside the bed fragment and crisp.
The loquats have just finished
the year before last I picked a big bunch for Charlie Bancroft
he like them.... he like any free fruit... a hang over from pinching fruit as a boy like we did
Now the wood pidgins come in two at a time wings whistling to eat them
The Phoebe tree will get its first leaves followed by clusters of pink buds Mum always annoyed at the parakeets that tore them to shreds for nothing but fun she reckoned
The azaleas' a favourite of both of them and the blood red wharatar another one they loved as much as for the plant but because it was an Auzzie bush and for Nana Macs story as it goes
she bought one the same and had to go on a waiting list at the plant shop to get it and she planted it and a few days latter it was gone a hole in the ground and an enduring mystery for years until one day over a fence a few houses away she saw the same one showing above the palings the 'buggers' she reckoned pinched it but ours has been here for 24 years seeded and survived buy new plants.
Latter the first buds will show on the Queensland frangipani and they will come along with the Tui's that chase each other in and out of the branches singing and making a cacophony getting stuck into the nectar the wood pidgins will move onto the palms eating the red berries perching on the guttering.
The rosemary will start to grow deep green and lilac aromatic
then later Kark's naked ladies out of nowhere stems thrown up and the pink clusters too sweet to smell the lawn will need constant mowing big mike now retired from the job another face and part of the family now gone and the life of the home and its routine
the quince late to blossom and later to fruit copped and made into Jelly with Mum saying watch the setting point it will be gone before you know it ... go on put it all in referring to the pectin.
And the jelly gone before you knew it especially if either Steven Donn or Phoebe got near the stuff
I yearn for the spring of now and even more the spring of yesterday and the people I have loves so dearly that then lived in it and though no more from 10000 miles the memory lives it as if now as if real and in the moment such is the indelible power of happiness

The history of rowing at Takapuna Grammar School - Where and when it all began? By John w Beck; exert
Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) was founded in 1927 as a co-educational secondary school. The history of rowing at TGS began, in fact, as early as 1937, when Mathematics master, Mr Short, joined a meeting of the Auckland Secondary Schools' Rowing Association that had been formed a year earlier, by Mt Albert Grammar and Sacred Heart College. So TGS became a rowing school.
TGS rowers had almost immediate success in both 1939 and 1940, the TGS 1 st IV won at the Head of Harbour Regatta which was raced alongside Tamaki Drive in those early days. The 1 st IV won again in 1945 and the crew included Eric Thorrington (#3 seat). In 1955, what was known as the Open Fours race was also won by a TGS crew.
In 1952, Malcolm Iversen, later a significant influence in the formation of TGS Rowing Club (Inc), rowed in a schools' regatta on the Waikato River at Mercer, in the North Shore Rowing Club colours. The lads were subsequently told by the Headmaster, Mr Dellow, that they had not had permission to claim to row in the name of Takapuna Grammar School and they were not to do it again!! Interestingly, four oars that had been purchased the previous year were reputedly, on the orders of the school's Board of Governors, sold to fund the purchase of music stands for the TGS Music Department.