Norman BRAKE Obituary

Loved brother and brother-in-law of Bevie and the late Rob. Respected Uncle of Denise and David and their families.
"Rest in Peace"

Dearly loved brother of Trish and brother-in-law of the late Doug. Dearest uncle of Grant, Mark and Wendy and families.
"Rest in Peace"

Our fondest memories of Norm as a warm, generous and dear friend who will be with us in spirit always. Heartfelt condolences to our special friend Dianne and all the family.

Much love, Ray and Jenny Mason (Perth)

"The day you left".

The day you left there was heart break and sorrow.
The day you left there was no tomorrow.
The day you left, couldn't understand.
The day you left God had you by the hand.
The day you left your family came together.
The day you left is the moment you will be remembered forever.

Love and thoughts always,

Normie,I can't put into words the sadness I feel or the love I have for you.You gave mum the life she deserved and me a home to return to.They say time makes things eaiser but there will never be enough time for us to get over loosing you.I love you Poppa Normie

Wow, the memories come flooding back - what great times we had, such a pleasure being friends with you, we will miss your smiling face (and your tamarillo vinegar!!!!!)

Hi I'm Sue the middle daughter, although the older generation of my family, including Dad, call me Susie. I really like that. I am the wife of Steve and mother of Terese and Nina.

I have a couple of things I wanted to say before talking about Dad. Firstly I wanted to acknowledge a lot of people at the funeral and many who couldn't be there: for many of us Norm was in our top ten individuals in our life and his loss has taken some sunshine away. He'd hate the concept of a “top ten person” but you know what I mean. I want to acknowledge you and the loss you are feeling. You are all family.

Secondly, I wanted to congratulate the local Kaitaia community. You can be very proud of your hospital and The Haven. It is a truly wonderful facility and we were treated like royalty by every single member of staff. Thank you so much for allowing Dad's passing to be a peaceful family time. It was important to him and made him happy.

OK my thoughts on my Dad. I have many but what I wanted to talk about was Dad's generosity. He had a generous soul, he was generous with his time, his patience, his possessions and most of all his good humour. He gave to us all, everyone who walked in his door. He gave all of us the benefit of a doubt – I don't know anyone who judged less. This is greatness, my father was a great man.

He has left us with his normy-jokes, normy-poems, normy-songs and normy-sense-of-humour. I'm going to contact Oxford about getting “normyism” into the dictionary. It's something that makes you shake your head with the sillyness of it, but you can't help but laugh. Steve started calling him Pop-up Norm instead of Poppa Norm, which he liked. Steve and Norm were great mates. We love you Poppa Norm.

We met Norm in 1980 after returning from Rome where we had formed a lasting friendship with his sister Trish and her husband Doug Masterton. Norm was a practising Real Estate Agent in Pukekohe where we had settled on a farm.

Immediately the Brake qualities came to the surface and we knew that he was certainly worthy of the Brake surname and evidently loaded with the caring and giving character that his sister has.

Norman was a community-minded person. He has been a prime-mover in introducing the Olive Oil industry to the Mangonui/Doubtless Bay population. His laid back humour will follow us for the rest of our days. We will miss him very much and so will those who learned so much from him.

My Darling I'm so lonely
Without you by my side
You were my world of happiness
So many tears I've cried
You are forever in my thoughts
I talk to you each day
I know you are there for me
And you'll guide me on my way

I will love you forever
Dianne

Rest in peace Normie. You have fought a hard fight so honourably. A fantastic Step Dad and father-in-law, a most loving and loved Poppa Normie. Until we meet again you will be forever in our hearts. Thank you for everything - our beach house would not exist without you, we are eternally grateful for the memories you have helped us create. We love U

Our heart goes out to you all at this sad time, especially at Christmas.

I had heard tell of your Dad long before I meet him,with you, his name was a household word in Dalgety`s & Commercial Union, with his exploits selling farms & organising Insurance on them. He was given an Insurance cover note book to organise Insurance cover. In all my 43 years in Insurance I only knew of one other person not in Insurance that was trusted in this way.

My name is Diane Brake. I am Norms youngest daughter, commonly known within the family, as Didi.

I first really got to know my dad when I grew old enough to be invited to the card table. I spent many years watching the action at our dining room table “learning the ropes” before I was allowed a seat. That dining table became the spot which dads relationships developed with many people over the years. It provided a place to relax, spend time and catch up. Don't get me wrong, there was still money to be had or lost at that table as well.
I believe from that table, dad dished out his lessons and shared his wisdom.
I personally learned manners, integrity, ethics, a good sense of humour, how to lose – and not as often – but also how to win.
I earned enough money from dad at that table to purchase a good sleeping bag for my overseas travels.
I used to meet dad at lunch times on occasion when I was still at school for a quick game of dice. Eventually my friends did the same and received the same wisdom that dad imparted so well.

He is the dad that taught me many things, his style of teaching is an interesting one.
Swimming he taught me – in large surf with the break over my head – I learnt to swim!
He taught me to drive, he said always accelerate on the corners and get a good run up for those hills – not such bad advice really.
He taught me to be responsible – by helping me to purchase my first house at the age of 16 – I think he was maybe just trying to get me to move out of home. I'm still not too sure about this one ?

I'm not the only student in Normies life, he was tutor to many.
He taught Davie how to drink - with red wine turned to vinegar.
He taught Bill how to gamble - and why he shouldn't play cards on pay day.

Besides being a father and tutor to many, many people, he was always a good listener with an ear for any trouble. He provided an open door to any person in need and would always try his best to help them back on their feet.
He was a good friend to me and I have so many dining table memories to treasure. He will always be in my heart.

Bon Voyage to Henry Spokeshave.

It was a privilege to know that I was one of the 'kids' that were welcomed into Norms home on a long term basis. I arrived at 11 years of age and left at 19, at times I had my own room and bed, other times I just was part of the furniture.
What did it mean to me? Well when I was 8 my dad was killed suddenly in a car accident and I was the last kid in a big family of 7 but they had left home so really I was an only child. I embraced the Brake place as it was full of fun and laughter but the real point is here that they embraced me!
Norm and Chrissy made me feel accepted, important, worth it!, funny and that I belonged in their whanau.
As we've managed to scrape one teenager thru to the finish line of 18 years and one at 14 still on the journey I've really become aware of how important those years from 11 to 19 really are and I realize that Normy you were like a dad to me in your unassuming but affirming way. I realize that you walked with me in the most important years of my life, Im so very grateful that God picked you to be that guy because in that time you taught me so very much. Mainly thru your character and observing not what you said but what you did. You have had so much to do with the woman I am today, I'm truly and eternally grateful. So is my family.
I have turned out a good woman and I want you to know that I was a good investment. Thank you for believing in me.
Ironically when I look at my husband of 15 years I see some similarity's between Normy and Dave and I realize that I have been doubly blessed.
Thank you to all of the Brakes, you were are a package deal and you shared your Mum and Dad with kindness.

A dearly loved brother inlaw whom we spent so many wonderful times together over the past 22 years. Thank you Norm for always being there for Dianne and the boys and the love and support you gave mum and dad. A special man in all our lives, we will miss you so much. Love to all the family. Lynnely Rex and Shane

Please accept our deepest sympathy in your sad loss. We will always have fond memories of Norm, his humour and courageous attitude. His poem "The Gate" forms part of our family history.
Love Ted, Marie and family.

I have so many great memories of a much loved cousin who was always ready for a good laugh. We will miss you Norm. My love goes to all the family.Betty