In loving memory of Colin

Colin Allan Porter

Born 26.11.37 – Died 3.8.24

Colin passed away suddenly at home on 3.8.24 aged 86 years.

Loving husband of Pat for 64 years.

Loving father to Kerri, Deborah and Glenn and father-in-law to Rohan, Richard and Karen.

Loving and adored Grandpa to James and Jan, Thomas, Matthew and Kit, Michelle and Joshua, Racheal and Nicholas.

Loving Great Grandpa to four great grandsons, Colin, Edric, Kevin and Kyrie.

In his professional life as a Civil/Construction Engineer and company manager, Colin managed the construction of many significant projects at Kinleith Pulp and Paper Mill, the chip mill in Richmond Nelson, the Civic Centre in Palmerston North, high rise buildings in Takapuna and the Ellerslie Race Course.  As a Director of Modulock, he oversaw the building of the High Commission in Port Moresby.

For the SPCD (NZ and Australia aid projects) in Samoa, he managed the construction of the Moto’otua Hospital at Vaiola and the Muliinu’u Wharf that ferries people from the main island of Upolo to Savaii to this day (and withstood the earthquake and a tsunami!)

As a community volunteer and leader he was with Jay Cees in Tokoroa for many years.  Colin assisted in fundraising and the construction of the kindergarten.  Later he was invited to become a Rotarian and he served as the Rotary President of Half Moon Bay Rotary Club, winning a Paul Harris Fellow award for outstanding fundraising efforts to conquer Polio.

At Peninsula Club for 14 years, Colin served as Chairman of the Residents Village Association. He then became President of the Auckland Branch RVANZ and latterly National President of the RVRANZ.  In this role, he worked with the Retirement Commissioner advocating for changes to improve the rights of village residents.  He addressed the members of Parliament advocating for changes to the Code of Practice governing the Retirement Village Owners.  This work is ongoing however, many changes have already been made voluntarily by Village Owners to improve the rights of residents in response to this work.

As a sportsman, he did running and gymnastics as a child, played rugby and cricket, adored sailing, was a keen golfer and in recent years played bowls.  He also loved reading and exchanging books with village friends.

Colin, we will all miss you forever.

A private cremation has been held for Colin.

An Informal Celebration of Colin's Life was held at the Arvida Peninsula Club Sports Hub, on Thursday the 8th August, 10.30am.

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