Stephen LUKETINA Obituary

So sad to hear of Stephen´s passing. Spent good times staying with the Luketina family when we were children. Pity we haven´t communicated in many years.
My condolences to the family.
Bill Spence cousin.

Sad to learn of the sudden passing of Stephen who was so active and gave a lot of his volunteer time to the community. I worked with Stephen in the Community Facilities department of Auckland Council who was still working there part time until a few months before I retired in July 2024.

A real gem of a man. I liked him immensely at school. Sorry to have lost contact after finishing school

Such sad news. Glad I had lunch with home a few years ago. A great classmate. Unorthodox. Surreal sense of humour.
Prayers and thoughts to all family.
Requiem
They say "the lighthouse-keeper´s world is round -
The only lighthouse keeper that I know
Inhabits space, his feet well clear of ground.
I say he is of light, of midnight snow.
 
The other lighthouse keeper - he they say
Whose world is round - is held responsible
For manning his one light by night; by day,
For polishing his lenses, bulb and bell.
My man, my friend who lately leaves, is quite
Another type. He climbs no spiral stairs:
But go he does, for good, to man the night;
To reappear, among his polished stars.
-          Sam Hunt

Steve was a hugely valued friend, volunteer and committee member of the Highfield Garden Reserve and Donkey Society in Algies Bay, where he generously shared his lifetime commitment to creating green spaces and planting and caring for the native bush for the community to enjoy. We are all deeply shocked and saddened by his sudden passing. He will be irreplaceable. All our thoughts are with his whanau at this time. I roto i te pouri nui /In deep sadness. The Committee of the Highfield Garden Reserve and Donkey Society.