My Deepest Sympathy to you Betty and the Family. The warmest thoughts are with you today. Remember too, that friendship and support are never far away. Thinking of you. Robyn Hart. Robyn Hart.

Sending my love to Betty and family. John was a great man and the best boss/Principal. I´m so blessed to have worked with John and for one of my children to have had him as their school principal. RIL John Remembered with love Marissa Thompson & family

My condolences to you Betty and the family. Love Russell

Dear Betty and Family, lots of love and strength in those difficult times. RIP John Love Joop and Lenie

Dear Betty and family so sorry to hear of your loss Love to you all

Thinking of you Betty and family. John was a wonderful boss / principal / colleague. RIP John. Allan and Yvonne Hoskins.

John was a very kind generous friend going back forty plus years when Hitchcock´s lived in Tawa Many happy times were shared between Jackson and Hitchcock families Thinking of you all as you celebrate a life of great teacher lover of all sport and loving husband father and amazing grandfather

So sorry to learn of John´s passing. He was my School Inspector for several years, then a colleague at Team Solutions. A lovely man, who was great to work with.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Betty and family - what an amazing and honorable man - he is the reason why we now live in NZ from SA - lots of love and hugs from Hennie and Avril Booysen - unfortunately we are not in Auckland so won't be able to attend his funeral but we will be there in spirit

Dear Betty - my condolences to you RIP John Tamara - Your Swissgirl

He was one of the best school principals i have known, lovely man, always kind, he shall be missed dearly, Fly high Mr Hitchcock G.I.S from 98 to 99

John was my first principal as a Beginning Teacher at Glenfield Intermediate. He was a wonderfully kind and generous leader who had time for everybody. I worked with him for a short time but he gave me planty of opportunities to thrive. John set me up with high expectations of how a great school operates. My condolences to the whanau, moe mai ra e rangatira.

It is with much sadness that I have learnt that John has passed way. We worked together in the Inspectorate in Auckland. John was very helpful and supportive when I joined the inspectorate. We had similar interests, in both education and sport, and it was always a delight to share stories and experiences with John. I appreciated his genuine desire to share and offer support and advice. I also enjoyed his wonderful sense of humour, and his friendship. John was a much respected colleague. Sincere condolences to Betty, and to John's family. John was one of the very best. Alastair Kay

So sad to hear this news as we got on so well him and his family. John was so good with us as owners of the local Superette with us and will be remembered as a friend and pleasant part of our lives. Rest in peace

Dear Betty. I am sad to hear that John has died. My sympathy to you and your family. Although it is MANY years since I met John (1960s?) I remember him as very friendly and good company. Like me, you had a long marriage so will have many many happy memories. Thinking of you. Love and condolences from your old primary school friend Diana.

Betty and family Mum has just told me about John´s passing and she and I are very sad to hear this. I´m sorry we did not hear prior to John´s memorial service. Really appreciated his kind words and anecdotes at Dons funeral and I know Mum and Dad really appreciated you both as neighbours. Condolences and best wishes to you all at this time.

John was a great encouragement at the Never2old group. He and Dennis had many a laugh. Their Bach at Omaha was a fun place for the group and swimming and pipi hunting was a enjoyed by all. Thank you John and Betty.

I was fortunate to be one of John’s Deputy Principals at Glenfield Intermediate from 1999 to 2023 when he retired. John was the best boss I ever had. He gave me space to develop and grow in my role but always had my back. He had a wonderful sense of fun and enjoyed engaging with his staff and students. You always knew John was in the building when you heard his belly-laugh which was frequent. He had great empathy for people and a caring nature. He always wanted the best for people, and where he could, he would make that happen. He established such a positive and fun culture that emanated throughout the whole school. His legacy lives on through being such a great example of school leadership to those of us in those roles today.

John and Betty were our first neighbors and special friends in Tawa while we were assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Wellington. 1981-1984. We have kept in touch all these years. We extend to Betty and the children’s our most sincere sympathy and fervent prayers of comfort. Oh how we loved John. Sincerely, Mike and Katie Bowcutt Utah, USA