Colin Ernest Francis

16 Apr 1946 - 07 Apr 2024

Colin Ernest Francis

16 Apr 1946 - 07 Apr 2024

died at home in the early hours of Sunday the 7th of April 2024. 

Col was a unique, loyal, fun-loving man. He loved his sport, his wine, his mates, Hawke’s Bay and most of all, his family.  

He is survived by wife Helen, children Kirsty, Doron and Rebecca and six precious grandchildren. 

A service to celebrate Colin’s life will be held in The Napier War Memorial on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 1pm. A livestream of the service will be available at www.dunstalls.co.nz  

All messages to The Francis Family C/o PO Box 1055, Napier, 4140. 

I met Colin at Dannevirke High School in 1960. He, Denis Tatere, Ferg, Warren Burgess and I grew into adults there and we all became the best friends. Col was such a generous person who gave of himself to all he met. My sincere condolences to Helen and all Colin's family. I will never forget my mate.

James Wheeler ( 12 Apr 2024 )

Verna Hutching- one of the 1959 Dannevirke class mates let me know that Colin had passed. He was the South School swimming champ that year - destined to become a high achiever. A life well lived .

winston Hindmarsh ( 12 Apr 2024 )

Sending love and thoughts to you Helen and family xx

Sue Ticehurst ( 12 Apr 2024 )

Great sadness I have to say goodbye to childhood frend how always be in my heart till we meet again rip col
Ray simeon (your old mate)

Raymond simeon ( 12 Apr 2024 )

Dear Helen
We were so sad to hear of Colin's passing and sorry we cannot attend today but will be viewing online. We have many special happy memories of Colin and our days in Hawkes Bay with him. Thinking of you and sending our sincere condolences to you and family. Love Louise and Earl Hart

Earl and Louise Hart ( 12 Apr 2024 )

Will be with you in spirit, as you farewell your beloved husband and father.

Jenni Prisk ( 12 Apr 2024 )

Rest in Peace Colin. Sorry that I cannot be there in person. But I am sending all my love and condolences to Helen, Rebecca and the rest of Colin's family and friends. xx

Fiona Harper ( 12 Apr 2024 )

Dearest Colin,
It is so difficult to find words. It was so fabulous to catch up with you last October in Brussels, and as my dad said, "We had an absolute blast!" We certainly did! I will never forget those two fun-filled evenings, the people that came up and asked to join us for a nightcap in the restaurant as they said 'We were laughing so hard". I will miss you very much you lovely man! It is said our loved ones never really leave us until we stop remembering them, so I guess you're stuck with me forever! Love you Colin, biggest cuddle in the world, Mandy.

Mandy Grimble ( 12 Apr 2024 )

Colin was a self-made man who never forgot where he came from. He was one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet.
'A loveable rogue, with a wicked sense of humour'. Generous and loving to all his family and friends - he made a difference to all who knew him.
It's been an absolute privilege to know him and his family as close friends and we will miss him heaps.
Rest in peace mate....
Fin & Denise

Fin & Denise, Whitsundays, Nth Qld, Australia. ( 11 Apr 2024 )

Col has been my best mate for 50 years. We met in the Rayleigh Lodge (a pub of course) in Essex with little in the way of what one might these days call “liquidity” but with a pretty powerful need to have a bit of a riot …. and we did as the days, weeks, months and years passed. Although since living in many different countries, we remained firm friendsand met regularly wherever and whenever we could including for crazy birthday weekends in Napier. We last met in Brussels before Christmas with my two daughters … and of course got totally blasted. Clearly, it’s difficult to find words right now so I have borrowed freely from Coleridge - and made a few adjustments of my own????:

"Oh Youth! For years so many and so bright,
It seemed sometimes that you and I were one,
Yet in a flash, white blinded by the light,
First you were here, and now … you’re gone!"

FLY FREE DEAR FRIEND, YOU'VE EARNED IT.

Des (or 007 and a half) and Marilyn, Mandy and Gheert, Jo and Nic, Mimi and Louis.

Des GRIMBLE ( 10 Apr 2024 )

Fond memories of a truly lovely, kind and generous man. Thank you for being you. Love you my cousin, rest well now. My sincere condolences to Helen, Kristy, Doron Rebecca and Joan and all who loved him.
Lyn and John Green and family, Perth Western Australia

Lyn Green ( 09 Apr 2024 )

R.I.P Colin, hard to believe your gone, another old schoolmate, fond memories

Terence Watson-Paul ( 09 Apr 2024 )