It is with great sadness that we write this tribute, but also with gratitude in our hearts for having known Peter. Peter and Diana were amongst the first to welcome us to Bethlehem Community Church, they blessed us with their friendship and love throughout the years we've known them. Peter, along with Diana, were a great example of faith and contentment to everyone. Peter was always a great encourager (a true Barnabas). Always outward looking, friendly and dependable. Peter's cheerful fun loving attitude was infectious. He was genuinely caring and incredibly generous with his time, gifts and hospitality. We are so grateful to have known him, he helped us so much when we moved to our house in Omokoroa. It's a comfort to know he fell asleep in the Lord and woke in His glorious presence where we will meet him again! Our prayers and love to Diana and all the family who we are privileged to know. God bless

I can’t remember ever seeing Peter without a broad smile and a twinkle in his eye. I’m sure the Lord welcomed him into paradise with open arms. No doubt he’s already building new mansions for those who will join him there at the right time. Our son Jonathan introduced our family to the Baileys back when he and Paul were friends at play school in Durban. We were blessed to share many special years in our churches, in ministry and in the Educare Centre in Cape Town. It blew us away when Peter and Diana came to Jonathan and Becky’s wedding…in Canada! And then they pulled out all the stops for us to see their world in New Zealand when we visited them. It’s a particular blessing that Peter and Diana became our daughter, Lisa’s Godparents. I think Peter should be given credit for being the original recycler. If he saw a need he’d use his God-given talent to create something completely new and useful out of old material. I’ll never forget how he took down a temporary wall at our house in Cape Town and turned it into a ping pong table! Thank you Diana, Paul, Joe, Phillip and your lovely families for sharing your amazing husband, father and grandfather with our family. He had the biggest heart and we feel honoured to have called him our friend. Farewell Peter. May you rest in peace. With our love, Lynne and Rod Ellis, Jonathan, Davina and Lisa.

Rest in Peace Uncle Peter. What an incredibly moving service and you must be so proud of all your kids and grand kids. It’s a shame that we never got to spend time together as we all became adults, but this service has given us a great insight as to what an incredible person you were. Lots of love to all the family and friends. From Darryn, Kim, Luke, Samuel and Jacob.

Peter was the most loveliest man. Full of love, servant hearted, gentle, gracious, kind. He loved playing cards with me and having lots of hot cups of tea. He was a man who radiated Jesus. There was something so special about him that I haven't seen in anyone else before. What a beautiful man he was. ❤️

My Dear Uncle Peter, from early childhood in Cape Town, SA, whenever you came to visit my family, you brought joy and laughter that filled our entire home! At Sunday school I considered you to be my hero. When we made contact again after all these years here in New Zealand where coincidentally you and our son moved to the exact same town Dannevirke, your intoxicating smile and demeanor was still the same. Thank you for your everlasting influence. your Niece Ingrid, Robbie and family Sedgefield, South Africa

Peter Bailey was an amazing mentor to me as a very young boy at Lansdowne Methodist Church in South Africa and all the other children as well. I can vividly see Peter right now running in the grounds of the church with much exhuberance and joy all over his face and doing fun things with us.He demonstrated to all the children how to live a life with Jesus. He worked closely with my father Arthur Woollands in the Sunday School to assist in the teaching of the children.Peter also used to visit my parents at our home and at the same time he gave Bobby Woollands my elder brother and I a personalised haircut.That was such a delight when Peter popped by. It was a highlight for me.I last saw Peter in Pinelands South Africa. I went for a ride with Peter in his car. He leant over and kissed his wife. I passed a comment about this wonderful expression of love and Peter said that before each car journey starts him and his wife kiss. As a young boy this was so nice to witness. And talking to Joseph I could see how Peter had instilled in him a love for The Father Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:12/13 Peter is now asleep in Jesus who ministers to him.

For Peter a man of integrity, fun, yet serious, generous. Energetic, full of faith, family seriously important a fixer of anything, kind, caring, supportive, a person that one wanted to spend time with, hospitable, upright, my friend. Sad that we were so far away but snatched time when we could. Thank you for being part of my life and soooooo glad we have more time ahead to chat. Bet you are having a lot of fun right now. Really glad that you had such a full and complete life. Diana have a huge hug., boys and your families know that you have my prayers and love too. Sterkte to you all. Lots of love ❤️

Uncle Peter Bailey, you will be so missed! My earliest memories of you must have been the early 80s, in your house in Fish Hoek, though with Aunty Diana pregnant with my soon to be best friend Paul at the same time as my mother's pregnancy with me means we probably met much earlier :) You were a legend to my brother's and me, regailing us with stories about the navy, of crossing between ships on ropes during high seas, or jokingly threatening to give us all a vet klap to PE and back if we were naughty, or amazing us with your strength as you smashed down brick walls in the play centre with your trusty 10lb sledge hammer! You always had so much time for a chat and even more time to tell a story. Your infectious laugh never far from erupting at the punchline. Your boys all looked up to you and were always so proud of you. Peter you will be missed, but we will see you again soon! Enjoy helping swing that 10lb sledge hammer with Christ our saviour as He's preparing a home for us. Lots of love Peter Moodie

In a conversation with Peter the disciple, Jesus says, "You do not realize... but later you will understand." In our then circle of friends, Peter was probably the first of us to understand his call to follow. He was therfore able to help many of us to understand. Thank you Peter. For me the it all started somewhere in the 1960s. Peter invested himself into many of our lives. If one considers the Sunday School and Youth group, it was 100s of lives. We prayed together, we played together, ministered together and partied together. I owe you so much. You helped me set my compass. Thank you Peter. You always had an exciting story to tell, a story full of life, energy and fun. I remember our rag-rugger games, haircuts at Sidow's, trips to the Simonstown navy base as well as Salisbury Island in Durban. Your navy trips to Australia and South America. The Easter hike across Table Mountain. The adventures in your VW Beetle and later your VW Kombi. Thank you Peter. With great delight I remember how you and Dave ambushed me after I got engaged and with shoe polish blackened the would be 'family jewels'. No persons or parts were harmed in the process. In the 1970s we went in different dirctions but were still able to see and meet with our families in Durban because of your and Diane's work at the Malvern Children's Home, Durban. Thank you Peter for so so much. I know you understand even more fully now as you rest in peace and having risen in glory. Henry Truebody, Cape Town, South Africa.

I have fond memories of Peter at the Lansdowne Methodist Church. He was a role model for the youth and set an example in his faith and walk with the LORD. One Easter with Shannon Kendal in charge a few of us climbed Table Mountain. We spent the night on the slopes. I remember Peter giving us his testimony. I know without any doubt that when Peter arrived in Heaven, JESUS said, "Welcome, good and faithful servant." Bobby Woollands

When I was a little girl attending Sunday School at Lansdowne Methodist Church in Cape Town, South Africa, Peter Bailey was the exciting young man standing up front telling us stories, making us laugh and directing our singing. I remember singing "Wide, Wide as the Ocean", "Jesus Makes Us Shine", "Jesus Loves Me This I know" and many more, but our favorite was "The Wise Man built His House upon the Rock". When we got to the verse about the foolish man, we would climb up onto our wooden chairs and when the rain came down and the floods came up we would crash to the floor like the foolish man's house, yelling, shouting and laughing hilariously. Peter loved us to have fun. The more noise the better! Peter also ran the Young Adult Guild (the YAGS). My brother, Shannon, attended that, but at first I was too young. I remember the evening they had a "Progressive Supper" which was a race between groups. It involved finding clues, completing activities and racing to different houses to eat all the different courses, not necessarily in the traditionally recognized order! My father prepared a very big pot of pea soup and I sat at the window, longing for all the cool YAGS to arrive. Each group had access to a car. Peter had bought an old brown Combi from John Second so that he could transport the YAGS. Suddenly a group pulled up outside with a screech, came in like a hurricane, downed the soup, found the clue and hurriedly fried an egg (it had to be sunnyside down) and disappeared with a flurry and the egg to qualify for the next course at someone else's house! They were followed by a group that was in such a hurry that they left with a raw egg. The impact that Peter had on the young folk in Lansdowne was huge and always positive. Years later, when I arrived in New Zealand with my young son, Peter and Diana were at the airport. They took us home with them and embraced us into their family for almost a year - a wonderful experience. Farewell, Peter, until we meet in glory.

A Smile That Lit the Room: Peter Phillip Bailey We gather here with grateful hearts, For Peter’s life, his gentle art— Of making friends with just a grin, And letting God’s great love shine in. He’d greet you with a twinkle bright, A joke prepared, his eyes alight; He’d break the ice, dispel the gloom, His laughter echoing through the room. Peals of laughter followed wherever you would go, Every smile you shared made heavy hearts feel light. Tales of faith and gentle jokes—your special way to show Each moment was a blessing, every day made bright. Resting now with God, your joy and love remain in endless flight. He loved the Lord with quiet grace, You saw it shining in his face. His faith was deep, his prayers sincere, He made God’s presence feel so near. No heavy words or somber air— Peter preferred a joke to share. He’d say, “Don’t mourn too long for me, I’ve found the best seat—heaven’s balcony!” So let us smile through gentle tears, And cherish all our golden years. For friendship, laughter, faith, and cheer— We thank you, Peter, for being here. May this tribute bring comfort and a smile to those who remember Peter, honoring his faith, his humor, and the warmth he brought to all who knew him.

**Eulogy for Peter Bailey** Dear friends and family, Today, sadly not able to be there but with all gathered I celebrate the life of Peter Bailey—a man whose kindness knew no borders, whose laughter bridged oceans, and whose friendship was a gift to all who knew him. Though miles separated us, Peter’s presence in my life, and in the lives of so many, was as constant as the stars. From his home in New Zealand to ours here in the UK, he carried love across distances with unwavering grace. Peter was the truest of friends: generous with his time, steadfast in support, and always there when needed. His legendary work ethic and practical skills were matched only by his ability to lift spirits with a smile or a well-timed joke. He had a rare gift—making even the heaviest burdens feel lighter. His simple yet profound faith anchored him, radiating through his actions and the quiet, steadfast way he cared for others. To my family, the Doyles, Peter and his beloved Diana were pillars of strength. During times of health struggles and injury, they stood by us without hesitation. Our children shared countless adventures with theirs, weaving a tapestry of memories that will forever bind our families. Years ago, I surprised Peter in New Zealand, and though time and distance had stretched between us, his embrace was as warm as ever—a testament to a friendship that transcended geography. Peter cherished his family, loved his people deeply, and lived with a heart wide open to the world. Today, I mourn the loss of my greatest friend, but I take comfort in knowing his spirit dances now in heaven, free and joyful, as he always deserved. To Peter: a faithful man, a loyal companion, a beacon of light. Your legacy lives on in the lives you’ve touched, the laughter you’ve shared, and the love that endures beyond goodbye. Rest now, dear friend. We will carry your warmth in our hearts until we meet again. With all my love, Peter and my family x

A TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND PETER PHILLIP BAILEY I write this tribute to a friend who despite the distance that eventually separated us, remained one of the “rocks” (Petra-get it?) of my life, one of the formative influencers who formed much of who and what became the substance of my life throughout. For he was a larger-than-life character was Peter Phillip Bailey, whose overwhelming presence drew you in to a discovery of life as He lived it, an amazing adventure! “AMAZING!’ was the exclamation that for me, and so many of those who were part of our circle at Church and socially, will always be what characterised his life and his approach to life. Everything was AMAZING, and if you did not encounter it as such, then he would show you how to. And so, the time has come to say farewell old Friend. For you have heard the voice of the one you have always loved and served, saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the fullest experience of the joy of your master!” And you have, and I can hear your voice even now as I write this, saying, “It’s AMAZING!” And I know that for you today, it truly is! Farewell old friend. Enjoy your New “AMAZING!”