James EASTON Obituary

Miss you uncle Jim. A great brother to my father John. So glad you got to meet Jude. Will be there with you in spirit tomorrow. Lots of love jewel

Dear Uncle Jim. At last reunited with your treasured girls. With love from what's left of the Hall family. David,(dec) June (dec) Christine, Diana and Richard (Aunty Maureen's godson) i know you will rest in perfect peace. So glad you got to build the house at 50 Benson that Dad originally designed for us. Bless you

Jim's wife Maureen was one of my late mother's closest friends and his daughter Vicky was my age, so I grew up knowing his family very well. I visited Jim with Mum and, later after Mum's death with my husband, at Grace Joel, whenever we were visiting NZ. As a child I remember him as a kind and quiet presence who worked away a lot and provided his family with a very good life in their lovely house in Remuera. Jim always had a great sense of humour. Later on in life his clear sighted humour and resilience seemed to come more to the fore. He was the last of my mother's generation. When I saw him in April he was still making those around him laugh with his witty and perceptively irreverent responses to life. A remarkable guy!! Fondly remembered always.

A wonderful neighbour at Benson Road Remuera. Will never forget visiting you at the Easter Show at Greenlane and getting to go on all the rides. Great friend of my late parents Don and Jennifer. So pleased I came and visited you earlier this year and recounted so many great memories. RIP Jim.

Jim you ol bugger, that's what we used to call you, not to your face of course. You were always there as kids growing up on the showgrounds you and Maureen, John and Penny, my mum and dad, such good friends and you looked out for us young buggers too.
Returned serviceman, pioneer in New Zealand show business, man with the driest sense of humor, you were a legend and will always be in our memories.

James "Jim" Easton, New Zealand´s oldest man and Australia´s oldest living veteran, passed away peacefully on 17 September 2025 at Grace Joel Rest Home in Auckland, aged 108.

Born in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, in 1916, Jim emigrated first to Canada as a child and later to Australia, where he left school at 14 to travel and work. At 23, he joined the Australian Army, serving with the 8th Division Signals. Captured after the fall of Singapore, Jim endured three and a half harrowing years as a prisoner of war, forced to work on the infamous Burma Railway. Weighing just 47 kilos at liberation, his survival was a testament to his resilience.

In 1947, Jim made New Zealand his home. For decades he worked in showgrounds and traveling fairs, known for his dedication, humour, and tireless work ethic, still working well into his 90s.

Jim was the beloved husband of the late Maureen and devoted father of the late Vikki. He will be deeply missed by his nieces and nephew, Jim, Anne, Virginia, and Jewel as well as his extended family and many friends.

Known for his clear outlook on life never smoking or drinking, valuing humour and honesty, Jim credited these habits for his remarkable longevity. On his 108th birthday in December 2024, he was celebrated as a living treasure.

A man of courage, integrity, and warmth, Jim´s life spanned a century of history and left a mark on all who knew him. He will be remembered with immense love and respect.

Farewell my friend. It was a pleasure working with you all those many years ago.

I Love you Uncle Jim x as always Virginia