Stephen COTTON Obituary

A truly exemplary innings by a strong team member. Gillian, Stephen and Victoria, together with brother David and sister Jane, please accept our sincerest condolences on John's sad passing. You must all be very proud of John as a lasting example of "King (Queen) and country". Unfortunately I am not strong enough to travel yet after a recent stint in hospital and will be represented at the funeral service celebrating John's life by Bryan and Rhonda Hall. My time with the Cotton family goes back to pre-primary school where John's mother, Ella, used to babysit me at her home. We all went to Titirangi Primary School and later all joined the North Piha Surf Lifesaving Club. If my memory serves me correctly, John's initial path in commercial life was to be accountancy and part way through that he switched to the RNZAF followed by service with the RAF specialising in maritime surveillance focusing on submarine aerial protection. John won the Fincastle trophy a number of times for both the RAF and the RNZAF. John was on standby for the Falklands war. John, Gillian and family became friends, trusted neighbours and John was on the management committee with me for the North Piha Water Supply Society for some twenty years supplying filtered, treated water to the whole of the North Piha community. I was at North Piha staying with Ella Cotton in her bach, that later became John and Gillian's residence, whereby Ella had a message to watch the horizon at a certain time when right on the horizon appeared an Orion flying at full throttle at minimum height and came in over the top of the Piha Surf Club straight up the valley, over the top of the Waitakeres to land at Whenuapai. Unfortunately unknown to John one of the government ministers was in residence at Piha at the time and John had to visit Wellington for a behind the closed door chat! The most spectacular piece of flying I have ever seen! We are very proud to have known John Cotton.



Geoffrey Clark
9.6.25

Dear Gillian and Family, I just heard that John died. He was a quality person. I feel privileged to have known both of you.
I'll always remember how we filled our days together at the Alexandra Bunny Shoots.
May you find peace and courage as you carry on.
Ruby Rufty Rutherford

Ps. Two years ago I moved into Possum Bourne Retirement Village (Ryman's) in Pukekohe. I have discovered I am a pretty good quizzer at our village contests. And have been in the Franklin Writers Group for 7 years. Both kids are married and happy in their jobs.

I'd love to put you on my Christmas list. Send a short email to me at [email protected] when you have time.

Hi Gillian, very sorry to hear about John, he was a great guy and good fun. Had some good times with John. All the best for you and family.

Dear Jill and family. My heart felt condolences at this sad time
Steve and I always enjoyed John's company and humor.

A privilege to know & serve alongside John, never on the same aircraft but we were on 40 squadron together for a few years. Always a gentleman, professional with a great sense of duty & fun. Blue skies & tailwinds JC.

Those black pudding breakfast fry-ups we enjoyed at their (John & Jill) Piha house were a delight. Caelan always looked forward to being at Grandma and Granddad's, especially because of them. A generous soul, sadly missed. Simon (Caelan's Father)

Arohanui to Jill and family!

John and Gillian moved to Tauranga and I´m sure I speak on behalf of all their friends here who will be unable to be at his farewell. Condolences to John´s family from all of us. John and I shared the 1960s Confrontation, he in the air and me on the ground. Max Ritchie, NZ Army

we should add to his name MID (mention in dispatches) for his work in coordinating the rescue of the yachties in the 1979 Fastnet race in which 19 sailors died, as the duty officer whilst on loan to the RAF. He may have been one of the last airman to fly Shackelton's in England before service in NZ with the p3?Orion anti submarine aircraft. Esteemed committee member of the Piha Memorial RSA for many years.

May the sympathy and concern of old friends be of some comfort to you Gill and your family.
Neil and Elizabeth Barr