Sorry to miss your heartwarming tangihanga , watching the livestream brought back a lot of great memories, Deano . I remember the old days in Auckland fondly and some of the shenanigans still make me smile every time. Peace out my bro , Arohanui from Brett , Priya , Maya & Zana Rest in paradise Wylie ❤️

Rest in Love Brother, I'm sorry I couldn't be there to say Goodbye mate. You always took time to have a laugh and a yarn with me whenever I visited your food truck, the extras you always threw in for me really ment alot to me I loved your food! When I was attacked you wouldn't let me pay for food for the first three weeks of my recovery and always had something cheeky to say about my black eyes..your sence of humor was awesome bro I actually used to visit ya to cheer up not for the food but I didn't want to tell ya..Thankyou for helping me through that I'll never forget it. Brother I know you are watching over us up there in the Heavens and your proberly taking the piss outta me right now...I can just picture that cheeky grin! See you on the other side Wylie gone but never forgotten. R.I.L Much Love and Respect

Thank you for sharing the livestream of Deano's tangi with us. We laughed and cried as we got to hear about your brother Erena, the brother you have worried over, cherished and battled with all these years. A wonderful send off for a very talented and passionate man. Your eulogy captured the essence of who Deano was for you and your whānau, we can only share our aroha with you at this incredibly sad time. Hoping that the words you heard from his friends and whanau provide you with some comfort and the karakia from Aunty Connie goes someway to healing the hurt you must be feeling. Cut down too soon, moe mai e te rangatira, e moe e moe.

Dean So much aroha goes with you, as you leave this physical world my friend , you leave so many fondly held memories. You leave inspiration , you leave pieces of you. You were one special person from the day we first met at primary school as little kids right to this day. You will always be held in our hearts and memories. Arohanui Deano , go well and keep shinning from the stars and heavens above. With love Abz and the who McMahon whanau.

All I ever said to him was: Hi, Thanks, Bye, and your chicken is YUM! But he made such an impression on me. I could see what a character he was. This just doesn't seem fair. Going to miss your hair.

Dear Brother. Thank-you for everything you’ve done for me in Life. I’m sorry I can’t be next to you right now, but know that I am My Bro! I LOVE YOU MY DEANO! My closest Friend, thank you for being with me in my life, always giving me strength to take on Life, and live with a Passion. I don’t know what would have happened if we never met, I Loved You & Kirk So Much, and we all loved each other as brothers with NO mothers. You both are Gone now, and it’s just me left… I’ll do better My Bro! I’ll keep winning for you my Bro! And for our dear Kirk… I’m going to miss you both So much! Just like I miss Our Kirk! Its like losing both my parents in life fkn car crash! Remember we would watch tons of movies together for years… Always cooking Chef, always trying to be the best in life, like you were the Best my Bro! You never fail my friend! Your always winning..! I want you to know my Friend, that I’ll always have you in my heart, my mind and Soul, and will carry on in this world for Us. Rest In Peace with the immortal angels my Brother! I got you Bro! & Ill see you again soon, after my time here is done, and me & You & Kirk gonna get on it! With upstairs stuff! Cooking in the kitchen of the Gods… Dyson is probably already the head chef up there, you guys can be Brothers again! I Love You Man!!! Im sorry I can’t be there, but Ill let you know I’m really up-set! And Tara is reading this to you from me, as I know you loved her too, she’s a good lady you would always say, and my daughter Pepper is here too, I have to look after my 2 little children, its school holidays my Bro.. It breaks my heart that I’m not there in Person, But were in the spiritual timeless world now, I’m here with you Bro, with my arm around you! As you go to Heaven… I LOVE YOU My dearest Friend! And i’ll come visit you up north soon OK, I’ll come and find you OK. I’m here on-line, Tara and Pepper are there, Tara will read this to you.

Absolutely heartbroken. Wylie Dean Hodgkinson — a rockstar in the kitchen and one of the closest mates I’ve ever had. We were inseparable at times, side by side through so many kitchens, laughs, and late nights. His talent was unmatched, his loyalty fierce, and his presence unforgettable. You weren’t just a chef, Deano — you were family. Rest easy, my brother. I’ll carry you with me always. 💔