Thomas BRACKEN Obituary

Our family was lucky to get to know Tom & Bev through the Paceys & they stayed at our place at Wharekaho many times. Such great chats & such darlings. I know my parents especially are very upset by this news. We send our love to Catherine & the rest of their family at this sad time.

Tom was the person I most looked up to, he was a great GP, great mate, and all round awesome gentleman. he will be missed by all of us at the Surgery

Tom was a legend! I knew him when he was a GP in Mangere and then as a colleague at Counties´s Manukau DHB where he was GP Liaison. He made a huge contribution to primary care in Auckland. Heart felt condolences to the family. RIP Tom now you are with Bev again.

Tom was my dad, Tom McFarlane's first cousin.
In the 60s, the Bracken and McFarlane families were both ensconced in Timaru.

In 1968, for my fourth birthday, Tom presented me with a junior carpentry set. But it wasn't a toy - everything was miniature, but everything worked; the screwdrivers, hammer and saw. From my point of view, especially the saw.

Taking advantage of the adults having a chin-wag in the kitchen, I headed to the living room with the saw and began trying to saw a leg off the sofa.

I was only little, but was no quitter!

By the time Mum found me, I'd sawed about a fifth of the way into the leg. Mum ticked me off, then ticked off Tom.

But she let me keep the carpentry set - minus the saw. She returned it later.

That partly sawn-off sofa leg was a reminder of Tom's present, and my jolly jape, until the sofa went to the tip, years later.

Another incident springs to mind.

In 1987 I flew from Christchurch to Auckland, to connect to the flight taking me on my big O.E.

While at altitude, my right ear became very painful. The pressure wouldn't equalise. It was painful enough during the one hour domestic flight. It would be excruciating on a twenty four hour one.

When I landed, Aunty Eileen Gilmour whisked me off to Tom's surgery for an impromptu consultation.

Both ears were completely full of hard wax. Tom got his syringe out. Usually, doctors like patients to use softening drops for a few days before, but there was no time for that.

It must have been like sluice mining a particularly stubborn seam of coal, and took ages. But when it was over, I had a pair of serviceable ears.

Tom declined payment.

Condolences to his family.

Lyall McFarlane,
Christchurch

Deepest condolences to the Bracken family for the loss of Tom. My parents Marianne and Joe Noma are heartbroken by the passing of their dearest and best friend Tom. Affectionately known to my son Mitchell as Grandpa Tom (and Nanna Bev), he would sit on Tom´s lap as a little boy for hours in the office while Tom lovingly printed sheets and sheets of colouring paper as an activity they enjoyed together. We will miss him dearly but know he is now reunited with his loving wife Nanna Bev in heaven. Fly high with the angels Grandpa Tom. RIP. Love, Tiffany for the Noma family xx

In memory of a wonderful, one of a kind, person. You will be solely missed Tom. RIP

In memory of a wonderful, one of a kind, person. You will be solely missed Tom. RIP. Javier Hofmaister

Mike and Judy, please accept my condolences. A great age. I said goodbye to my sister yesterday too. Best regards Pat Cooksley