Dunstalls Funeral Services Ltd | Derek Hugh Simpson

To my big brother,
My lasting memory of Derek was when Ken brought Derek and Mary to our house, and leaning on the fence gazing across the fields and woods. He said "I went to New Zealand for this".
It was good to see him again and meet Mary. We were saddened to hear of his death, but comforted by the thoughts that all his family were with him.
Our thoughts and love are with you all.
Maurice,Andy,Marc and Sarah xx

Maurice,Andy ,Marc and Sarah ( 23 Feb 2015 )

Mary ,Leanne & Yvonne, sending you are sincere sympathy ,Derek was a friend way back in my [joan] schooldays which were very happy ones even they were during the war.Also when you both visited us around 1994 I think ,we really enjoyed that time .We shall also miss our skype times,Mary we must not lose touch,will contact you sometime soon, Our thoughts are with you, Joan & Pete xxxxx

Peter & Joan Cook ( 17 Feb 2015 )

Memories. Not many of our early life as I was the second to last of the 7 children and only a girl!!! He came home from the army on leave. I watched as he ironed his khaki trouser and scorched them so out came the half-a-crown to vigorously rub the mark until had gone. Now Derek you will meet up with Ron and my memory is upstairs in the small front bedroom and you and Ron conversing with finger spelling, so fast and furious. When Derek wrote home about the trip to N Z he spoke of the suicides on the ship. I remember mum seemed to cry for weeks when he left us. Then he sent the black and white photo's of his welding, up a ladder in his overalls. Mum started crying again and said " he needs his mother there to do his mending" . There was a large tear in the knees! When Mary and Derek married they entrusted wedding memorabllia to a sailor friend. On his way back to England he jumped ship and all was lost.When David then Frank and I became £10 poms we were always made welcome to stay with them until we found our feet. We were all working but would catch up and have meals with Des and have a good laugh.David went off to England and we followed. We would write letters {no Skype} David went to live in Fiji where he is still.I organised a big family reunion in 1998 . David came over from Fiji and we were altogether for the first time, though Ron had died the year before, Sadly it was also the last time Mary do you remember when Derek cleaned the car and drove away with his cheque book and your engagement ring on the roof. On 2zc radio it was announced and .we came round. The cheque book was handed in but no ring. Marcus was sent to have a look and found it in the gutter, A wonderful service full of more memories for us and it was so lovely to feel part of it. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that has been done ..Dennis you have been so good to our family which is so appreciated. Our love to you all Dorothy and Frank Jane and Marcus xxx

Dorothy and Frank Thrower his sister ( 17 Feb 2015 )

Farewell to a great friend. We will miss you and your words of wisdom. Arohanui Derek.

Neil & Glenys Eagles ( 16 Feb 2015 )

To Mary and all the family,
Thinking of you at this sad time, but will always remember the happy times, sharing digs in Wellington in 1952, listening to music, especially George Shearing's "I'll Remember April", Derek was a good friend and buddy.
Fondest memories Deryk Greenway and family from the UK.

Deryk Greenway ( 16 Feb 2015 )

Dear Mary,Yvonne Dennis, Leanne,Graham, and families. We are going to miss calling in to see Derek. It was always a good time to discuss events ,and he gave advice when needed. His outlook on life positive.When we called in a few weeks ago,saying good bye I realise now he knew this was the last time we would see each other.Love Denise and David Innes

David &Denise Innes ( 15 Feb 2015 )

MY UNCLE DEREK

You made me laugh, you made me smile
Our Skype calls went on for quite a while!
Out came our soap boxes and we put the world to rights On many of these occasions,you ended up having very late nights!

You were my Dad's big brother and my favourite cousins Dad I'm really very glad of this-as you're the Uncle I'm glad I had.
Even though we were miles apart,You seemed so very near I'll always cherish our meeting up and hold our memories dear ?

Squidgy Huggles & much love
Your Niece, Fiona xx xx

Fiona Fraser ( 15 Feb 2015 )

Well Derek,
So many memories of us as Brothers... A lot of them from when we were evacuated to Felmersham. Especially the time when little ole me tagged along after you and your mates and I ended up tied to a tree so I couldn't follow you!! I have never forgotten this moment and many more.The time will come when we meet up again.. I'll remind you of these times and we'll laugh and laugh about them. Over the years we have always stayed in touch,wherever I was in the world, be it Germany, East Africa, Switzerland or at home in England.
Our meeting up again in 1994 was one of the best moments in my life.
You will always be my best Big brother,you'll be greatly missed. Our fortnightly Skype chats are gone, but not forgotten.A big gap is left in my heart.
Lots of love
T.T.F.N
Ken xx xx

Ken Simpson ( 15 Feb 2015 )

Dear Mary and family,

Our sympathies are with you at this sad time.

Derek was a wonderful man, offering his friendship and moral support to Angela's family over the last few years. Derek and Mary's regular visits to the Minto family home brought bright chatter and rich conversation to her father Neville in his final years and gave social companionship to her sister Mary as she cared for her father.

For me, when Angela and I visited Napier, I always enjoyed the principled and decent conversations with Derek. Our topics spanned a history that he was witness to, and we delved deep into our versions of politics and current events. I was always left with a sense of how genuine and honourable this man was.

Salut to you Derek, we will miss you. And, take care Mary. Our love and thoughts are with you and your family.

Take care,
Angela and Selwyn.

Angela Minto and Selwyn Manning ( 15 Feb 2015 )

To Derek's Family & Extended Family,

I just want to pay my tribute to Derek Simpson as words need to be said and all I can give to Derek now is my words for his family.

Derek was a dear and supportive friend to my Dad (Neville Minto) and to me.

His support of us was daily, with visits (which included Mary & Bobbi) at our home over a period of 8 plus years. The visits became much less in the last 3 years as Derek's own health began to deteriorate
visibly and his energy faded which made us very sad.

My Dad was no conversationalist and talked very little because he was now in his nineties so there was not a great deal of giving to Derek - but Derek still came daily. And Dad's quality of life was incredibly enhanced by Derek's visits because he was very stimulated by Derek's intelligent conversation and his lively attitude to life. And he talked to me about things Derek had told him of after Derek had left.

I learned to have an enormous respect for Derek.
Derek was reading newspapers on the internet right until days ago (despite advanced age and ill health). Derek had a quick and deep intelligence. Derek fully accepted other people and had a complete understanding of other people. Only Derek could retell stories of human folly in such an entertaining way.

Derek's loyalty to us never failed. Despite his health he forced himself to walk across the road to visit us when family had left after staying for a visit. Derek would say," I know what it is like. It takes a couple of days for us to come right after Yvonne leaves and returns to Auckland."
On many occasions Derek came to visit because Dad was - simply, just unwell. And on the only day in Dad's old age that he was in bed Derek arrived to wish him well and early the following morning Derek and Mary came again to see Dad who had then passed. All this walking across the road and back again was very draining for Derek with his breathlessness and he never asked me to come and pick him up in the car despite my offers. Neville Minto died six months ago aged 97 and Mary & Derek supported us through his funeral and in the hard days that followed..

I respected Derek for his politics. He hated to hear of anyone being used or abused. He wanted a fair deal for everyone. I remember a conversation when a comfortably off friend called to visit. Eventually the conversation turned very flippantly to the sad state of New Zealand's economics and the growing number of beneficiaries (especially the aged) and, "Yes," the National Party were the only ones to sort it out. Derek listened to it all and then heroically just said quietly, "I voted Labour!." His values were his and he owned them. Despite his increasing age and vulnerability he still owned them.

Derek was in hospital for what we now know was his final admission.
I had driven Mary the 32 kilometres return to visit him a few times and on the 4th February (seven days before he died) Derek said to me, " Now I don't want to abuse our friendship. You must take this cheque for petrol money." I will keep his cheque as a reminder of the measure of the man. It will never be cashed and it will go with this letter into my Family History Book for us and future generations. It was I who owed Derek a service.

I am so grateful for Derek's friendship, and i know I will always have it.

All i can do now is express my sincere condolences to you all.

Yours faithfully,

Mary Minto

Mary Minto ( 14 Feb 2015 )

Uncle Derek you smile, humour and love for your family will live long in the memory. Love Scott xx

Scott Simpson ( 13 Feb 2015 )

Dear Mary, Yvonne & Dennis, Leanne, & all the family
Our thoughts and love go out to you at this sad time, we have very special memories of Derek and treasure the times spent with him.

Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.

We hope the many happy memories of your husband / dad, will bring you comfort through this difficult time.

Lots of Love always, Liz & John xxx

Derek Hugh Simpson