Geoffrey COLDHAM Obituary

Miss you Dad

Only just heard this sad news. Lighting a candle and quietly contemplating the life of this remarkable man, Geoff Coldham, who helped so many. Thoughts are with his family.

Geoff & Family entered our lives, today, four years ago; when our son, participated in his first attempt for Auckland Hockey representatives. Nobody in our household understood what it all implied, but as this event fell on his 13th. birthday weekend & he loved this sport so much, we thought it to be the perfect way to celebrate his entrance into adolescence. What was supposed to be a joyful birthday gift to our son, turned out to be far more impactant and long lasting,in all our lives! Geoff managed this Hatch Auckland Team to Whakatane for an amazing sporting adventure which has not been surpassed since! This charismatic, hard working and hugely humble person made our son shine by the power of his charisma and love of hockey! Geoff had a gift with the boys on the hockey field, which few others could rival. Geoff gentleness allowed these young men to believe in themselves and give in the hockey field, their very best! Also, Geoff and Di knew how to organize a superb celebration party! Never before had we enjoyed ourselves so much as we all did, the night this glorious Whakatane trip concluded! Yesterday, I sat with Di over a rushed cuppa to chat, for the very first time, since that glorious trip. Well, I discovered with amazement that the Coldham magic continues to live on in Geoff's children as Di introduced me into their "inner worlds" I was left speechless, each time she revealed a new aspect of their developmental lives! Geoff, as a sincere believer in Christ, I know you lead me to Diana, yesterday, to voice to those who want to hear, that you also produced two magnificent children who, no doubt, will grow up to make you very proud! I wish to thank Diana for meeting up with me, also to let her know that she is not alone, we all care and love her, deeply and pray to Christ that the pain they all bear today, may soon be replaced by hope and faith within. Coldham family, thank you so much for letting us all into your fabulous world! God Bless and guide you!

Remembering a hugely compassionate and talented man who performed a number of complex fusion surgeries over a number of years and eventually an emergency spinal decompression which prevented total paralysis after mistreatment by hospital. I don't know that anyone else would be brave enough to take me on. Rest well Geoffrey and thanks for your caring and Sunday day visits to the hospital. I saw you last probably just after you began your own personal battle. A huge loss and missed by many.

Dear dad,
Thank you for being there for me, I will never forget you. You touched the hearts of plenty.
Love you and miss you forever more.

Dr Geoffrey, what can I say, you helped me when I needed help the most, I was just a teenager, you believed me, you could see what was wrong with my spine, we joked and laughed together, you showed me photos of Hunter adorable little man. I got a phone call from you and you asked if I would be a model for the orthopaedic Surgeons final Practical Exam, and of course it was you asking and of course I would so one Saturday we where there with my mum you asked to be there with me, and I remember you making sure I was feed and had fluids your kindness is something I will never forget, and like you said I received a letter from the Royal College of Surgeons, my heart broke today I only just found out why why I asked its not fair I am sorry to go on but you where special my you Rest In Peace I will never forget you and I am deeply Sorry for your Wife Di and Hunter and Madison I will see you again Dr Jeff Rest In Peace, Kayla Claudia Horvath xxxxx

My sincerest of condolences to your family

I was a student of this absolutely wonderful man. It is very heart breaking, He was an absolute gem of a character- someone who has inspired me a alot. Wont forget him.

I have just heard of Geoff's passing and feel very very sad.After 18 years of pain I was lucky enough to be referred to Geoff for surgery. Another surgery followed - due to me returning to work not Geoff's skill! I had been advised to 'go home and live with it'. Geoff said ' I can fix that'. Geoff- you changed my life and that of my wife and children. Thank you.Sincere condolences to his loved ones.Mike Watson

My sincere condolences to Geoff family,
Just over a year ago I went through Spinal Fusion Surgery and you made it feel like a walk in the park. You had a special aura about you and your straigh to the point manner made me feel at ease. thanks to you I can run around with my kids and I always will be gratefull, Rest In Peace.
Manuel Garcia

I have just learnt of Geoffrey's passing. My sincere condolences to his family. Geoff was my spinal surgeon last year and his skills changed my life immeasurably. I and my family are ever so grateful. I will always remember my first meeting with Geoff, I was pretty cynical going to this appoinment after a year of disappointments with other medical professionals. I was not hopeful. He was watching NZ play cricket and asked me if I was interested in knowing the score. He then examined me, checked my MRI's etc and gave me his opinion on what needed to be done, he did it and I have not looked back. Many thanks to a great surgeon.

We have just learnt that Geoff passed away - I remember him as such a lovely man who was incredibly passionate about you and your children - he was very earnest in preparing that DVD for your special birthday, it was so important to him that you realised how much you were loved and he seemed to admire everything that you had achieved - he wanted all of it on there. My husband also remembers him as a gentleman with time for people. Our thoughts are with you and your gorgeous children. Out kindest regards Clare and Dave Sutton

Geoff was my surgeon 5 years ago when I needed an urgent discectomy. He was personable and had excellent skills - a rare combination in so many professionals of his calibre. I remember him saying after the surgery that he hoped we didn't meet again and a few months later I saw him at Sylvia Park with his kids having a meal. He smiled and waved and remembered me, which I thought was lovely given how many people he must have treated. Was truly saddened to hear of his passing. It will leave a big gap in many people's lives I am sure.

It is a shock and by chance I found out Geoff Coldham has passed away this year. I remember 14 years ago hobbling into Geoff's office like it was yesterday. Geoff was companionate and gave me hope. 12 years of pain before surgery I'm so grateful every day to Geoff for a quality of life back.
My thoughts and condolences are with his wife and children. All the very best to you.

Our condolences go out to the Coldham family and extended whanau. We meet Geoff some years ago when my husband needed spinal surgery. What an awesome man, he put my husband at ease and was very thoughtful to my anxiousness and made sure he phoned me in person to let me know how it all went straight after the operation. This continued through a few other operations as well. We were shocked today to hear of his passing and send our thoughts and prayers to you all. RIP Geoffrey.

My deepest sympathy today for your tremendous loss, such an amazing husband and father, my thoughts are with you Di, Hunter and Maddi.

Our deepest sympathy to the Coldham family. He was always our go to Spinal Surgeon for referring patients.

Kindest Regards, Staff Kuirau Specialist Centre Rotorua

Geoff only one year ago I walked into your office to be told I needed major surgery and I was devastated. Your kind, thoughtful and honest words reassurred me and you told me it would all be okay. Today I am fit and healthy and enjoying sport again as you promised. Your legacy will remain with me forever. My heartfeeled thoughts are with your wife Diane and your Children who you always talked about so fondly. Rest in Peace my friend

So sorry to hear that Geoffrey has passed away. Geoffrey was a great surgeon and I am forever grateful that it was he of whom performed my surgery not so many years ago now.he was a very caring human being and a fantastic surgeon. My sincere condolences to Geoffrey's family and many friends. Rest in peace.

For over 12 years, it has been my husband and my great honour to have known Geoffrey. He was a kind, gentle, supportive and passionate surgeon, without whom I would have had a much less productive and enjoyable life. Our heartfelt and sincere sympathy to his family. He will always be in our prayers.

To all the Coldham family, I was honoured to be with you all over the weekend.
Geoff had so many more dreams to chase.
Our thoughts are with you all.
Love Brig, Neil, Matthew, Cameron and Mitchell

Both my son&I were fortunate to both have had your wonderful husband as our surgeon in past few years.He qualmed our fears and was a very compassionate soul.Please accept our condolences to both you Diane&children Lorna Hendry

So sad that Geoff has passed away. His family, friends, and the medical fraternity have been robbed of many more years of him being around. Geoff operated on my back a few years ago and I will never forget his compassion, caring bed side manner, obvious surgical skill and his engaging personality. Our thoughts are with Di, Maddi and Hunter at this very sad time.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Di, Hunter and Maddi. Three fun filled coaching years with Geoff leaves a fondness in our hearts. Love and strength to you all xx Sally, Jose, Esta, George and Prue

I am heartbroken to hear of Geoff's passing. I was his patient and found him to be a great doctor and a greater human being. He inspired me with his caring and dedication and I was able to have my dear little boy because of Geoff's encouragement and confidence in me. He told me to say Hi to him if I saw him in the street after our doctor/patient relationship came to an end. So rest easy mate.

I met Geoff during our university days. I remember him fondly. My condolences.

My heartfelt condolences to a wonderful, caring, dedicated surgeon. You changed my life when I crawled into your office 6 years ago. You gave me my life back and for that I am eternally grateful. To visit me in hospital with your two beautiful children on a Sunday after being at the beach was way beyond the call of duty. You were and still are my hero. Rest in peace dear man. Thank you for all you have done and the legacy you leave behind. You will be greatly missed.

Go well Geoff. Deepest sympathies to family and friends.

Today we say goodbye to a loyal, strong, dedicated and friendly team mate.

For just on 30 years we have known you as a part of the Varsity hockey fraternity. I remember the first Varisity trial I attended at Hobson Park back in 1986 as a kid out of high school. You welcomed me, and made me feel like I was part of the team, and you didn't even know me.

We then spent the next 10 years as part of a close knit group, trying to knock off some champion teams of that era in the Auckland club competition. We travelled the country in search of National Club supremecy. We clashed sticks with all the other Varsity teams during winter tournaments.

You were hard, but fair. Fiesty - maybe sometimes. You played to win, and everyone around you played in the same vein, and when you were our captain, we played for you as hard as we could.

While you have lost this particular battle Geoff, you have won the hearts and souls of many many others - mine included. May you rest in peace now mate.

Dianna, Hunter, Madison - my heartfelt wishes to you all.

Love - Wayne, Louise, Joshua and Charlie. xxx

Our most sincere condolences to family, friends and colleagues of Mr Geoff Coldham. His was a life well lived as a kind and generous man, dedicated mentor and inspiration to all. From his friends and colleagues at the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit.

To Geoff, thank you so much for helping my son etc... regarding his spinal conditon, it was a great honor to have met you and for being such an caring, understanding person in regards to helping Codey and being part of a great spinal team who were brave enough to tell my boy to give up his beloved skateboarding!!. We are going to miss doing all your Loan sets etc for your cases etc.
Prayers and thoughts for your family,
RIP Doctor Coldham

Nancy Langkilde..CSSD...Middlemore Hospital

Sorry to hear of your loss Di. Thinking of you and sending love. Maree

Geoff was the SHO on the team for my first HO job out of med school, so all my first stories of being a doctor include him, usually making me laugh on ward rounds. I will always remember his kindness and be grateful to him for 'showing me the ropes'. I am sorry not to be able to tell him myself over a beer at Buckleton's when I come home this Christmas. I am proud to have known him and am so sorry for your loss.

Di, Maddie and Hunter, you have lost a truely special dad and husband, an amazing man we will never forget. Geoff was a rare one, always so kind and selfless, smiling, laughing with those lovely blue eyes. We are very sad not to be able to be there for his farewell today but we will make a special toast to a special man at 130 today. All our love and hugs. Ange, Rod, Charlotte and Abigail xxxx

It was a great honor knowing and working with one of the best. You will be greatly missed Geoff. Forever in our hearts. My deepest condolences to Diane, Hunter and Madison.

An amazing man, who achieved so much. An honor and a privilege to have met you and shared some fun times early in your life and career.
Sadly missed by all. Best wishes to Dianna and family.
Lyall, Robyn and family. xoxo

Geoffrey our sincere condolences go out to your family. Thank you for all the great times as our neighbour at scandretts bay and operating on mum/grandma. Rest in peace from the "Tregidga family"

Geoff, your kind eyes and soft voice - no wonder so many loved you! Your gentleness also had us seeking you out at Karapiro; your empty chair in the afternoons a sobering reminder to us of your journey. We didn't get to know you well Geoff, one rowing season wasn't enough and Tuesday shortchanged us all. But we'll hear your voice again Geoff - in the laughter of your children, when they get through this darkness and can feel the sun again. Di, there are no words to make this better. Our hearts are with you.

Anne, David, Hunter and Grayson Gaze

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Diana, so sorry to hear of the loss of a wonderful man. Our Deepest sympathies to you and Madison and Hunter.

To Geoff ... a wonderful coach; incredibly compassionate and caring surgeon who was the most amazing support to Maisy throughout her back operation; fearsome hockey opponent (Adam recalls more than one yellow card!) and just all round great guy. I remember one day as we were waiting in Geoff's clinic for an appointment and Geoff came out to greet one of his 80+ year clients with a "Come on Tiger, we'll get you prowling again". With that spirit, humour and caring, Geoff was a friend to all. To Di, Hunter and Maddy, all of our love and most positive strength to you. Adam, Sue, Maisy and Meadow

Geoff will always hold a special place in the hearts of many of us that had the privilge and honour of knowing him and working along side him. Thank you Geoff for your support; the much needed push when we needed pushing, the laughs and the many memories...You helped shape our awesome Spine Nursing team and we will promise to push those high standards. Condolences go out to your wife, children and the Coldham family at this time.
You are deeply and surely missed by all... Operating Theatres, Middlemore Hospital.

Mr. Colhham, Although we knew you briefly, you made a huge positive impression in our lives; we appreciate all the hours dedicated to impart hockey wisdom to our young, our son's gratitude for all the kindness bestowed is unmeasurable! Our deepest sympathy to Diana, Madison and Hunter.

Coldham, Geoffrey, (Geoff). Geoff was a highly regarded surgeon and a great man. Our heartfelt sympathy to Geoffs family and friends.Thank you for your skill and committment in developing the Orthopaedic Theatre Nursing team at Middlemore Hospital.You will be sorely missed by the entire Theatre team, RIP.

Condolences to the family. Mr Coldham was very respected by staff and patients on St Cecilia, Mercy and will be greatly missed.

My condolences to the Coldham family. A huge loss to the orthopaedic profession.
I was a patient of Geoff's back in October 2013 at Middlemore Hospital.
I remember Geoff visiting me on a Saturday morning (his day off) to give me reassurance when I was having some "dark" moments after surgery. You got me home for the Christmas as you promised!

It was a blast being a hockey mate of Geoff in our 20's and the world has lost one of the world's really top blokes. Our thoughts are with you, Diana, and the kids and all those whose lives were touched by this awesome guy.

The Holley Family.

I'm sorry to learn of your loss - Diana and children. While I didn't meet him, from what I am reading he sounds like a very fine and well respected person and someone the children can remember with admiration.

I didnt know Mr Coldham very well personally, however as a young doctor working at Middlemore Hospital he always took the time to stop and say hello and ask after my progress and was always tremendously kind and respectful. He was hugely respected by all of the junior doctors and will be sadly missed. My deepest condolences are with his family.

So sorry to hear of your loss Di. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Hunter and Madison w.
Sue. & Adrian Old, Elyse and Kyla

A top guy and top hockey coach - one of the best.A terrible loss; love and thoughts with family.
Lucy -Mt Eden Hockey Club

Coldham, Geoffrey James (Geoff) My deepest sympathy to your family, friends, colleagues and patients. My memories of Geoff are from a young ortho registrar to a skilled professional surgeon. His death is such a sad loss, to the Orthopaedic specialty, to be taken at his professional prowess. He was always caring, kind and approachable. Taken too soon! Pauline Trembath

Very very sorry for your loss - Diana, Hunter and Madison. Doesn't seem right such a fine fellow should get the short straw.

Coldham, Geoff: My condolences to the family of a very talented and skilled surgeon. I will never forget what you did for me on that long September day in 2003. You said you nearly gave up but you didn't, you bent rods like you said you never had to before but you got there. I will always remember you saying you will get me 80% pain free but you got 100%. You gave me back my life to enable me to do the things I love and for that I will always be grateful. Your caring and kindness to me and my family over that time will never be forgotten. Over the years I know you were proud of what you did that day and how I progressed. Your legacy will live on in my back and I will look after it to honour your memory. Colleague from the early days and old patient

With thanks from a grateful patent. His concern and support was wonderful after a medical mishap. A great loss.

My condolences to the family of Geoff.
A great doctor and a wonderful professional colleague.
Tragic loss to the community.
May his soul rest in peace.
Bhavani Peddinti

Remembering Geoff from Scandretts Bay summers. Very sorry for your loss, Di, Hunter, Madison and the Coldham family. So very sad.
Fiona Ell

We will miss this wonderful and talented man. He was a great part of the orthopaedic effort at Carolinas Medical Centre in his fellowship year (1998-99). Sincere condolences to Di and children and all the family and friends. As I write this I am looking at a photo of us fishing in the Atlantic for billfish way back when! He was the best. Ed Hanley

Geoff Coldham; Will be so sadly missed by all your patients, GPs and colleagues for being such a kind, approachable ,skilled, affable and compassionate Surgeon. A supreme role model to all who have been lucky enough to have interacted with you.
Sincere condolence to your family and thank you for sharing Geoff with us.

COLDHAM, Geoffrey James (Geoff). Passed on 21/7/2015 after a long illness, taken too soon. Heartfelt thanks for all the good memories and great times spent together with us over the years. These will always be treasured by us all. Rest in peace. Lance, Lurlene, Alana, Rochelle and Larissa.

COLDHAM, Geoffrey Loved brother of David and Patricia (Gisborne), much loved uncle of Ashley, Angela, Ethan and Blake (Australia); Lana, Shuji, Arisa and Reo (Japan). Will be sadly missed.

COLDHAM, Geoffrey Our condolences to the family of a much loved and respected colleague. He will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his friends and family. The Middlemore Anaesthetic Department.

COLDHAM, Geoffrey James (Geoff) Our highly respected colleague, skilled surgeon, cherished friend, golfing mate, tennis pro and competitive fishing buddy who has been an integral part of the orthopaedic service medical and nursing teams both professionally and personally. We are thankful for and will miss Geoff's enormous contribution to orthopaedics, his expertise, leadership and superb organisational skills. Medical and Nursing staff of the Middlemore Hospital Orthopaedic Department.