I first met Karen and Paul at Easter 25 years ago when Sharleen brought me over from Picton to met them. Who would have thought 25 years, 3 wonderful children later I would be honouring a man that I admired and greatly respected. Paul would often tell me off for working too many hours or being away from Sharleen and the kids. I came to adore and love him as if he was my own father. Over the years we shared many adventures, either fishing from the beach or boat to being you being shot gun cruising around with me in the truck around Victoria often with a pit stop with either a cheeky beer or pie/sausage roll on the way home. Most of all I’m going to miss the jokes and laughs we shared usually at other peoples expense, and especially the winding up of both Karen and Sharleen! As we both got older we are just a couple of big kids in adults bodies and our bond and trust grew through our enjoyment of all things engineering old and new. I just also want to tell you before I clock off, thank you for the my greasiest gift is the love of my life and bestest friend your daughter Sharleen. I wont say goodbye but see you again someday as we still have a long way to go and a short time to get there, people to annoy and plenty of shit to do and a road trip to complete! Rest easy now, far winds and clear skies into the wild blue yonder with your hair blowing in the wind by car, truck or train. I will honour the promise I made you only a few weeks ago and continue on the path you started. John X

I first met Paul and Karen Easter 25 years ago when Sharleen brought me over from Picton to meet them, who knew then I would be standing here after 25 years and 3 wonderful children later honouring a man that I admired greatly and respected, even when he was telling me off for working too many hours or being away from Sharleen and the kids. I came to adore him and love him as if he were my own father. Over the years we had a few adventures either fishing from the beach or boat to you riding shot gun in the truck cruising around Victoria often with a sneaky beer or pie on the way home. Most of all Im going to miss all the laughs we had at other peoples expense and the winding up of Sharleen and Karen. As we got older, we are just big kids in grown up bodies and our bond and trust grew over the years but over the last few months we grew even closer. We both loved all things engineering and shared enjoyment of machinery both old and new. I want to tell you before I clock off is to thank you for your greatest gift of all my bestest friend your daughter Sharleen. Rest easy now far winds and clear skies into the wild blue wonder by car, truck or train and the sun on your face and wind blowing in your hair!! I will honour the promise I made to you only a few weeks ago, I got this from here on and continue the path you started. I wont say goodbye but see you again someday and you can take me on that road trip like we planned. We still got a long way to go and short time to get there, still got plenty of shit to do and plenty people to annoy!!

To dear Karen, Sharlene Vivian & Craig. Garry & myself are so very sorry for the passing of Paul your loved one. Karen I remember your lovely wedding so well. You & Paul are a great example of what parenting should be. A couple who stood out and loved each other grately. Paul so generous when you broght Edwin over to Mildura to Mum McFarlanes Celebration of Life. Then a visit to see Garry myself & our Family. These are memories we will always treasure.... rip Barney......much love ❤️ to Karen & Family xxx

Dear Dad I never thought this day would ever come, especially so soon! Saying goodbye to you just wasn’t in my life’s plan, but here we are having to deal with whatever crap life throws at us, good, bad and the painful! Having you as our Dad, Viv, Craig and I were the lucky ones, even though sometimes we didn't always see eye to eye or tell you that while we were growing up! Regardless of all that, It wasn't until I had a family of my own I fully understood how much hard work goes into raising a family and today I need to thank you for it as its not always been easy! You and Mum were the best example of what a good stable partnership could ever be. Then in time, becoming awesome grandparents even from so far away! We didn't always have the best of everything growing up but we always had what we needed that was your love, security, safety and time which all these cost nothing. We had many adventures and little holidays, outings, family picnics, visiting family and friends in different locations are all memories that will be treasured. As the eldest, I do however have one regret and that is not being able to for fill one of our dreams and that was to walk me down the aisle to John. It’s all good though Dad, you did get to walk with me down the aisle just a few weeks ago while helping you with the shopping at PAK’nSAVE! I'm lucky you’re are patient man and it’s only taken me 25 years, 3 awesome kids, to work out if John is the right one! Luckily he has your blessing and one day soon that little dream will come true and I know you will be there. Your chair at home sits empty, but your presence remains, in very memory or photo with big trucks and old trains There are so many more things I want to say but today we gather, for a life well lived, Rest now dear Dad all your hard work is done, wherever you are and whatever you do Just keep being you and to always have fun! Luff you and Miss you Your No:1 daughter Sharleen

i love you forever grandad, you're youngest princess kaylee

I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Paul. Karen I will never forget the kindness that you both showed me in Melbourne when I was also over for Caitlyn’s 21st Birthday. You picked me up and dropped me off at my accommodation several times over that weekend and it was never a problem. Sitting around Sharleen and John’s kitchen table Paul showed me photos of the beloved Mr Ted. Also scrolling through numerous photos of cars, trucks and vehicle shows on his phone that he’d taken on numerous occasions. All the time I pretended to be interested and I think I managed to get one or two words in along the way. Please accept my deepest sympathy and know that I’m thinking of you all. Another star brightens the sky … shining for the one who will always be in your heart x ❤️

Paul, Karen and family as I had no chance of standing up at the service owing to being full of the flu and would have more likely embarrassed myself and family by going through a coughing fit of monumental proportions. However, I can share some of my memories here... When I first met Paul he was in the Hutt hospital some 53 odd years ago (having had an altercation with a milk truck, which as I remember, you lost badly!) and was introduced by your cousin Linda, I was concerned to find he was very much a member of “the dark side” and drove a Holden (me of course being “blue blooded” and a Ford fan) I never knew then how much he would become a part of my life. We were the best men at both of our weddings, We spent many hours driving NZRRS buses around Titahi Bay, me teaching you how to drive buses, you taught me all about how to adjust governors on Bedford buses (that is one story that should remain untold) I always wondered if that was what developed your interest in Heck the wreck? We shared many moments around cars fixing the unfixable or trying to make them go faster! I always enjoyed the BBQ’s (which we mostly got Paul to cook, being the best in world at that) and these get togethers always produced the best of times. We shared a passion of museums, machinery and cars and trucks of any make or model and in later years we explored a great many of them and spent hours discussing what we had seen. The cliché that age teaches certainly holds true! And for the most times, we enjoyed the great family we belonged to, both the good, bad, sad and humorous parts Paul, you have been an integral part of my life for 53 years and I can promise, you will remain a part for the rest of my living years in some fabulous memories. Until we meet again, you enjoy the rest, because you sure deserve it. When we do catch up let’s see if we can do it all over again!

Well not sure where to start. Dad has pasted away after putting up an amazing fight right to the end. Dad I know you’re at peace now and pain free . I’m forever thankful that we had a dad like you. He was tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Dad had the biggest heart and would help people out any way he could if needed. Spending the last weeks with you I will never forget. This trip has been the hardest. Thank you for the love, support and memories and being an awesome grandad to our 3 boys Harrison, Riley, Jacob and father in law to mark. We will met again at the next station ❤️ Love you all day everyday always and forever. 20th august 1954 - 30th May 2026

To paul It so hard to put into words first of all thank you giving me the best friend of 30 years I could ever be given sharleen Thank you for having to Put up with me in our teen years I to was I was a receiver of your practical jokes on many occasions I never forgot the day you pick me up for a fun sleep over where you got no sleep again sharleen fault you ask me to put bag in boot of the car should of been on to it but no I open boot Craig jumps out I screamed so much with fright the neighbours came out but you thought it was pretty funny one more to you. Next I had left my bike from. Night before in your side shed though I could seek away from school all good everyone at work no one would know so I getting myself ready to go next thing crazy man jump out of no where I swear to god I had a heart attack may just of pee my pants just a wee bit how was I ment to know there was hidden modle room there I guess another one to you. But I have many good memories of and thank you from bottem of my heart you took me in at times I had no where else you give me food so many time that I. May gone without a meal if you hadn't you home was open wram loving sometime I was a lost lonley young person little did you know how safe you made me feel your home become my home.Your so brave so strong I never forget what you done for me now as well as my son got him to drive he didn't have any man figer here to help him you did now he driving thank you so very much . To karen you too I can't thank you enough I'm sorry things happen this way but please know I'm. Here for you coming day months I'm olny phone call away anytime I really blessed to have meet you all become my second family all of you . Best of all thank for our our Adventures in Henry that you didn't know about my lovely driving lesson at mangaroa where I nearly took a letter box but lucky I didn't. I hope you keep them on there toes up there. Love menace

To grandad Paul, I’m so lucky to give you the title and call you my granddad. From a young an age no one teaches you how to grief you have to work it out but from having someone that has watch you grow from a baby learning how to walk and talk, to an adult. Loosing you has to be the hardest thing I will ever go through. As a kid you think you will always going to live forever but when you grow up and we get older the unfortunate reality is sometimes time isn’t in our favour, gets slipped away. As your eldest grandchild one of 2 princess the person who made you a grandad first. I will always love you and remember you whole heartedly. I’ll forever remember the time you drew smiley faces on eggs and call them cackle berries now that’s going to stick with me and I’ll be passing that down and when I cook my eggs at home I’ll be calling my eggs that in your honour, and many more of your stories won’t go unshared. But your legacy won’t stop here, I’ll always make sure that my future children will always know who you are have photos around my house and I tell everyone and anyone about you. I just want to say thank you for life that you created that I got to be a part of if it wasn’t for you my parents would have never meet and I wouldn’t be standing right here. I’ve always looked up to you as a role model as anyone did. I know the time we had got cut short and no one saw this coming it was like a quick train ride. But you didn’t stop the fighting till the very end. But I’ll never forget the land yard you wore saying never give up. So I’m going to make you proud and not give up and keep going no matter what life throws at me. I just cannot put into words how lucky I am to got to call you my grandad. I will miss the wise advice you gave us to all the fun story’s and outs we did together. They will be cherished forever. I’ll forever miss your big cuddly hugs always open and ready for a cuddle. Until we meet again grandad Love from your princess missy moo ❤️❤️

Dear Karen, My heart goes out to you and your family today as you celebrate the life of your dear, sweet Paul. We didn’t know Paul for very long, but a little over a year ago, on our Globus tour in Dublin, Ireland, we had the pleasure of meeting both of you. We will always cherish those memories of getting to know you during that wonderful week and of continuing our friendship afterward. Jim and I shared so much in common with you both. Two things that stand out are that we were the same age and had both been married for 50 years—something truly special and worth celebrating these days. I remember how much you and Paul enjoyed your trip, making sure you experienced all the highlights and adventures together. Sharing conversations about our families and life was such a joy. One of my favorite memories was taking a few 50th anniversary photos of the two of you at the Cliffs of Moher. You both walked up that challenging hill together, and I had the pleasure of capturing a few pictures during those special moments. Those memories will always stay with me. I am so grateful that we had the opportunity to meet both you and Paul. May God be with you and your family during this difficult time and surround you with His comfort, strength, and peace. You have such a beautiful heart, Karen, and Paul did too. Sending love, prayers, and hugs from afar. With love, Darlene and Jim

Dearest Karen, So sorry to hear of Barneys passing, while I didnt know him well his reputation preceded him, a good man and big teddy bear with a wicked sense of humour, I've heard many stories, he will be missed by all. Big hugs to you and condolences to your family, Much love Cathy Hambleton

to my beautiful grandad paul, i love you so much i physically cant put it into words. time wasent in our favour, but i promise our memories will be treasured with me forever. i was insanely blessed to be one of your only 2 princesses, no one expected this day to come as fast as it did,neither did you. and im still expecting you to outdrink me on my 18th. you peacefully passed knowing that you were extremely loved , admired and cared for and i promise nana & mr ted will be taken care of. i hope you know the wonderful memories everyone has had with you will forever be treasured aswell as how loved you truly are. i hope youre doing everything you love and wanted to do when you want to do it. losing you is hard but seeing you suffer in the pain you were in was harder. so thank you for fighting on days when you felt like you couldn't fight anymore, thank you for teaching us strength, resilience and pure love. im forever grateful to have you as my grandad and i would choose you again every single time. thank you for showing up no matter the distance between us,thank you for all of your warm hugs, and thank you for showing me what unconditional love truly means. seeing you finally at peace and at rest is better than any birthday gift you couldve ever given me, so thank you again for all the laughs, all the crys, all of the fun outings and for being my favourite lovely boy. i love you from your youngest princess, freckled faced wombat

Never thought I’d be writing this at this moment in time. Paul you were always larger than life and did enjoy a joke or two. The family Christmas’ spent together either in Lower Hutt, Auckland and Kerikeri were some fun and special times when we were kids. I am grateful for the times I would come and stay with you and Karen in my early adult years. It was always a safe and happy place to be. Karen, you and Paul always worked alongside each other through thick and thin and obviously especially these past months. Karen, I pray you will find comfort and strength in the weeks ahead. Please know that we will be thinking of and sending much love to you, the kids, grandkids and the rest of the family. Much love Margaret and John

Paul you fought hard to the end and we have lost a big brother, husband, father and uncle. Your brave spirit will live on in our fond memories. Your generosity, loyalty and humour and your family are your legacy. Rest in peace my brother you are loved. Dear Karen you courageously supported Paul through the hardest journey of all. For both of you and you are loved as well. We share your grief Sister.

Thinking of you all Karen and remembering our lifelong friendship with the kids growing up xxx RIP beautiful man and will treasure memories ❤️❤️love Mark Yvonne Teena Danny and Kelly xx

Dear Aunty Karen, and cousins Craig, Sharlene & Vivian, I am thinking of you all and sending you my deepest condolences. To my uncles Alistar, Warren, and of course my father: you have lost your big brother, and the same applies to you all. As an extraterritorial Harris, born and living in what you Kiwis would consider “the lesser land", it's only proper to say that I didn't know Uncle Paul as well as I would have liked. But what I do know is that he is my uncle, my father's brother, a Harris—and when one Harris goes, a part of all of us Harrises goes with them. One thing I remember about my Uncle Paul was his passion for his craft. When I came over to visit once, he took me over to the railway yard and explained to me, in significant detail, how he would machine the wheels and brakes on the trains, the consequences of a wheel not machined properly round, and all the details you could possibly imagine. By day's end, he had me all but whipping a wheel off and machining it myself with the knowledge he was passing on. Most notably from that day, it was clear to me the man had a passion for what he did and was very proud of his craft. A bloke who takes such passion in what they do, in my opinion, possesses among the most admirable of traits, and it is something we all should strive for. They say if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life, and I like to think that was wholly applicable to Uncle Paul. Rest in peace Uncle Paul.

My mother and father, Sheryl and Brian Thompson, would visit the Harris family on occasion when we lived in Totara Park, Upper Hutt. My memory of Paul was a large gentle man who had cabinets full of model trucks. I seem to recall him and Brian pulling engines apart in Paul's shed. I think the last time I saw Paul was at Mum and Dad's wedding. It is with much regret I didn't get see Paul before he passed but Karen my love and thoughts are with you, Vivian Sharleen and Craig. Rest in peace Paul.

Dear Karen, Sharlene, Vivian and Craig, Was so sorry to hear the loss of Paul. Haven known you all my life Paul and although we didn’t see constantly as a kid definitely saw you Karen and the kids as an adult. Got to see you lots at mum n dads always a jolly smile but the thing that makes me smile most and remember about you is whenever you guys came to mum n dads you automatically relaxed and would even doze off , you blamed the farm air :) You will be sorely missed and sorry I haven’t seen you guys in quite awhile. Fly high Paul and watch over Karen the kids and your grandies xxx

It wasn’t easy growing up without a father but I Lent heavily on my big brothers for guidance and support throughout my childhood and I thank you especially for that big brother. Some of the simplest memories will always stay with me. From going down to the river in the Holden Premier with Holly dog and burning myself on the metal seatbelts on a hot summer afternoon. To going to the Railways Christmas parties as a we fella and eating all the ice-cream and lollies I could stuff into myself. And taking trips to Picton with the kids on the Interislander and getting seasick. I wouldn’t have missed those moments for anything. And let’s not forget Fish & Chip Fridays!, Such wonderful childhood times I spent with the family, and I thank You and Karen for including me. These were the fun memories of my childhood growing up alongside Sharleen, Viv and Craig. You always had a cheeky streak to you, from Foam rubber Filled Birthday cakes for Karen (that was a classic Paul move). Or trying to talk me into swapping a rare Truck model I had found for something I didn’t want, you never gave up trying. So until we meet again my Big Brother, be at peace and know we love you always. Your littlest brother, Alistair (scallywag)

To Karen, Sharlene, Vivienne, & Craig. Thinking of you all during this time. Grief is letting us know what is of value & importance to us. May you cherish those memories now, as we say goodbye to Paul. Penelope Davenport. Www. Kaleidoscopemindbodycoaching .com