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Pruple Delphinium

David John (Dave) McNee Reg 803541 CMT RNZAF 1956

January 14, 2024

Born 13-12-1937 – Died 14-01-2024. Passed away peacefully at Grey Hospital, Greymouth, aged 86. Loved husband of the late Shona (nee Moreton), loved father and father-in-law of Karren and the late Clive Bissell (Hokitika), Debra McNee & Roger Schroder (Blenhiem), Michelle McNee & Matt Cant (Hokitika), and Geoffrey & Jenny (Arrowtown), loved grandfather of Roger (Junior) Victoria, Clayton, Caitlyn, Jock, Harrison, Sophie, Libby, and Carly, loved great grandfather of William, and Huxley, loved eldest son of the late William & Violet, loved brother and brother-in-law of Peter & Elizabeth McNee, and Ken & Glenys McNee, and a loved uncle, cousin, and friend. Messages to 1 Bonar Drive, Hokitika 7810. A Service to celebrate Dave’s life will be held in All Saints Anglican Church on Thursday at 1pm, Dave will then be laid to rest with Shona at the Hokitika Cemetery.

83 Comments

  1. Charlotte Bradley-Peni

    I’m so sorry to read this Karren and family. I thoroughly enjoyed our catch ups at the Clock Tower, his stories and sound advice. He will be missed by so many

    Reply
    • Ken Reece and Lyn McINTOSH

      So sad to hear of Dave’s passing….he was one of those people who set a high standard and lived too it…we really had some great times ….great memories…RIP Dave

      Reply
      • Doug & Yvonne Cochrane.

        Our sincere condolences to the McNee families in your sad loss of Dave.
        Certainly an icon in the West Coast mechanical world.
        Many a good discussion to be had with Dave through the years.
        RIP Dave.🌹🌹

        Reply
        • Rob Lunn

          Very true words there I would just like to add with the utmost respect the original super spanners !!!

          Reply
      • Paul and Carol Jamieson

        Our deepest sympathy to Karren and family.
        I think off the great times in the 60 and 70 with Dave and Shona.
        Dave’s love for beloved Vauxhall was legendary.
        RIP to a great Coaster.

        Reply
        • Sue and Colin Peterson

          Deepest sympathy to you all. Fond memories of many a good story told.

          Reply
      • Lani Johnston

        Very sorry for your loss Karren. Sending condolences to you all. Message on behalf of my Mother Chris who worked with Karren.

        Reply
    • Richard Third

      I’m sorry to hear about Sir David Karren and Family
      Having coffee at clock tower Cafe story , hours drinking coffee,I will miss it and so will a lot of people. Rest in Peace

      Reply
      • Noeline Minehan

        Deepest sympathy Karren and family

        Reply
      • Bryan & Sandra Cudmore

        Deepest condolences to Karen and all the McNee Family fond memories of Dave at the Garage always out there willing to help everyone. Love and thoughts with you all at this difficult time ahead. R.I.P Dave fly high 💐💙

        Reply
        • Neil & Christine Buchanan.

          Condolences to the McNee Family on the loss of Dave .We have known Dave since 1995 when we brought the NW supermarket in Hokitika and we have remained friends since. Often calling on each other when possible in Queenstown ,Christchurch and Hokitika .Dave loved a chat and a coffee and we will miss his stories and advice .RIP Dave

          Reply
      • Adrian Gardner

        Thinking of you all RIP Dave

        Reply
  2. Murray and Shona Marshall

    Condolences to all the families xx

    Reply
  3. Lesley, Troy, Ali, Eden & Quinn

    Thinking of you Karren and family not the same not seeing him across the field on his mower.

    Reply
    • Katie RAE

      Condolences to Karren and family, RIP Dave

      Reply
      • Katene, Rebecca, Ryde & Ruby

        Much love to Karren and Whanau the kids definitely miss Dave on his mower xxoo

        Reply
      • Cheryl and Brian Hutchison

        Sincere sympathy to Karrin, Debbie Michelle and Geoff and families. Hold your memories close.
        RIP Dave.

        Reply
    • John Nancekivell

      McNee family, sorry to hear of Dave’s passing, Top man,TOP mechanic,RIP

      Reply
  4. Patrick Pascoe

    Sorry to hear of Daves passing thinking of all his family, was privileged to have known him.

    Reply
  5. Sharyn and Butch Symons

    Deepest sympathy to all the family. An icon at rest. Thinking of you all at this sad time

    Reply
    • Raelene Tuck

      With sorrow. I pass on my condolences to the family
      My thoughts are with you all.

      Reply
  6. Karla Jones

    Thinking of you Karren and family xx

    Reply
  7. Anne and Ron Boddy

    We are thinking of you Mick Debra and Roger at this sad time When we ever talk about Dave it is with fondnest

    Reply
  8. Margaret Reece

    Thinking of you all this week as you say goodbye to your dad.
    Great memories of Dave and your lovely Mum Shona.

    Reply
  9. Tarn Murtha

    So sorry to hear of the loss of Dave. I remember him coming into House of Travel over 20 years ago, always with a cheeky grin and a yarn. Sending love to Karen & family

    Reply
  10. Hellen Morris

    Our sincere and deepest sympathy to all of Dave’s family.
    Kerry Heveldt and Hellen Morris xxxx

    Reply
    • Davod Stewart

      R I P Dave.Great man to all.Dave Stewart.

      Reply
  11. Jen & Peter Low

    So very sad to hear of Dave’s passing. He was one of the best story tellers of old and an even better mechanic and friend. RIP Dave. Will never forget your friendship and the laughs we enjoyed together.

    Reply
    • Rachel, Ray & Liam

      Thinking of all the McNee family at this sad time – what a gold nugget Dave was, always up for a brew and a yarn sprinkled with plenty of good humour. Go well Dave x

      Reply
  12. Chris Mathieson

    Thinking of you all. He was good to both mum and dad. They will be having a big catch-up.
    Chris Gordy and Alison.

    Reply
  13. John & Judy Tacon

    Sad to learn of Dave’s passing. Condolences to all of his family. Some great memories. RIP Dave

    Reply
  14. Grant Symons

    Another good man done gone. Condolences to all the family

    Reply
  15. Dianna Armstrong

    sorry to hear of your dad’s passing Debbie. Condolences to all the family. From
    Skelton family

    Reply
  16. Mike & Ra Henderson

    Sorry to hear this condolences to family.

    Reply
    • Colleen Gibbĺ

      Thinking of you all at this sad time.Sincere co dolences. R I P Dave

      Reply
      • Lynda, Gwenda and family

        Our sympathies to your family at this sad time.

        Reply
    • Nancy Woolhouse

      Thinking of you all at this sad time.

      Reply
  17. Sharon Bradley

    Sending our love to you all..Dave was a great man

    Sharon and Rob Bradley

    Reply
  18. Margaret Atkinson

    To McNee Family, Our deepest sympathy to all. John & Margaret Atkinson

    Reply
  19. Jacqui and Mick

    This is such sad news. Condolences to all of his family. Dave was a kind, generous man.

    Reply
  20. Dave Madgwick

    Sad news about Dave.
    Spent many hours in his workshop when we parked the truck there
    Always good for a laugh and spent hours making sure the truck kept moving. Condolences to all.

    Reply
  21. Alisyn Gray

    Deepest sympathy to the family. A fantastic guy who’s lovely smile and sense of humour will be sadly missed by all

    Reply
  22. David, Cush and the kids

    One of the kindest men I have ever known. Right till the very end you were still cracking jokes , rest easy Dave.

    Reply
    • Maria Robinson

      So sad to hear of your hugh loss. Sending much love and heartfelt sympathy to you all.
      Maria Robinson and family

      Reply
      • Karen McLeod (bee Broadbelt)

        Deepest condolences to all the family, especially Karren. Much love. In our thoughts and prayers

        Reply
  23. Diane & John Craig

    Deepest sympathy to Karen and the family.

    Reply
  24. Kathleen Miller (McLeod)

    Sympathies to you all. Spent time myself in the workshop with Dave and Dad. They had many laughs. Thinking of you all at this sad time.
    RIP Dave

    Reply
  25. Willie Teen

    So sad to hear, Dave was a great bloke. Condolences to the family.

    Reply
    • Jill & Simon

      So sorry to hear Karen, our thoughts are with you and the rest of your family xx

      Reply
  26. Margaret Singer

    Our condolences to all Dave’s family. xx

    Reply
  27. Jacquie Grant ONZM

    Vale Dave , I will miss the Saturday morning chats at Sock World.

    Reply
  28. Jane Wellard

    Thoughts are with you Karren and the rest of your whanau on the passing of your Dad – condolences from the Wellard-Scotts

    Reply
    • Margaret Martin

      So sorry to hear of your loss Karren and sending our deepest sympathy to you and your family
      Marg and Scott

      Reply
  29. Andrea Beecroft

    Oh Karen and family I am so sorry to hear about Davie’s passing, He was a great man and a wonderful friend of Neil . My condolences and sending you all my love and hugs. Andrea Beecroft.

    Reply
  30. Rob & Kate Fearn

    Dave was such a great friend to Mum and Dad, Stan and Aggie Fearn. We would often find him at home having a good yarn. R.I.P, Dave. Condolences to Karren and Family.

    Reply
  31. Bidgie Jefferies

    Thoughts are with you, Karen and McNee family . Sending our heartfelt sympathy. RIP Dave. BIdge and Colin Jefferies

    Reply
  32. Gary & Chris Keown

    sad to hear of dav’s passing very talented mechanic sending our condolences to Karen, Debbie. Machelle and family RIP Dav

    Reply
  33. Ross Stewart

    Sorry to hear of dave passing ,Best mechanic to give a car to,.My condolences to all the family.

    Reply
  34. Nadia Tainui

    Condolences to the family, i hadn’t seen him since i worked at the Caltax in Hokitika, always made us laugh, RIP Mr McNee.

    Reply
  35. Karen Beecroft

    So sorry to learn of Dave’s passing. My kind wishes to all family. He was a good friend to my late Dad, who always enjoyed a regular catch up with him. RIP Dave.

    Reply
  36. Wendy Roberts

    We’re so very sorry to hear of the sad loss of your dear Dad Karen, I’m thinking of you and your family at this sad time, RIP Dave
    Our deepest sympathies
    Wendy and Chris

    Reply
    • IanTurner

      Sad to hear of Dave’s passing.
      He was known by a lot of people, who all would be sad to hear.
      Kind Regards Ian.

      Reply
  37. Wayne & Rosalie Thompson

    Sorry to read of Daves passing. Our condolences to all the family. Still remember our chats and laughs from our shop days at Fitzherbert Store.

    Reply
  38. Matthew Fairmaid

    Karen and Debbie and family, so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing, he was a most respected man and also a great mechanic, will miss my cups of coffee with him at the Clock Tower Cafe, a very good friend of my late father and always asked after him when he left Hokitika, RIP Dave.
    Matthew Fairmaid.

    Reply
  39. Colin and Mary Wilson

    Condolences to all the family on Daves passing..Great bloke to a heck of a lot people who knew him. You all have so much to remember of a life that he had.
    Aroha
    Colin and Mary Wilson

    Reply
  40. Paulina Tulloch

    Heartfelt condolences on the loss of your father. Take care of each other and he will live on in you and your memories.

    Reply
  41. Merryn O’Malley

    Thinking of you Karen, Debbie and extended family. Deepest Sympathies to you all on the passing of Dave.

    Reply
  42. Carolyn Lawson

    Dave RIP. U were a talented mechanic, with lots of great stories and lots of laughs. We will miss u calling in at Ikamatua workshop.

    Reply
    • Carolyn Fechney

      Sad to hear about sir Dave, I will miss him and his stories at the clock tower..

      Reply
  43. Denis MCFELIN

    Sorry we can’t be with you.Thinking of you all at this sad time.

    Denis and Gwenda

    Reply
  44. MURRAY and MARIE OLSON.

    Our Sympathies to Karen, Debbie and extended family, Dave was a great mechanic , gave me great advice on car repairs i did myself. Good stories from Dave on his trips over to Australia while having a beer at Westland Hotel. RIP DAVE, you will be missed by your old friends..

    Reply
  45. Laurence Buckton

    Laurence Buckton , My Sympathies to the to the family of there loss of a great man, lots good laughs and memories that wont be forgotten. RIP Dave

    Reply
    • Hemi and Pauline Te Rakau

      So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. A gentleman with a kind heart, he will be missed by his family and friends. Keep him close. Our thoughts are with you

      Reply
      • Raewyn Carter

        So sorry to hear this what a great man he was.

        Reply
  46. Russell and Kay Mitchell

    Condolences to all the family, Our thoughts are with you.
    From Russ and Little 40

    Reply
  47. Angela Anderson

    Condolences to you all at this sad time

    Reply
  48. Merv Bassett Palmerston North

    So sad to hear of Dave’s passing. Our friendship started way back in Greymouth nearly 80 years ago and we have been good friends ever since. We biked across the pipeline from greymouth to Blake town regularly. We made regular trips to Christchurch by Vauxhall car to enjoy a meal and returned the same evening. Dave and Shona were a beautiful couple. My sincere condolences to all the family. I’ll miss our regular chats Rest in peace Dave

    Reply
  49. Jane Brownie

    We have such fond memories of the kind and amazingly helpful man, Dave, fixing our car after hours without any fuss and always ready for a yarn. Rest in peace, Dave and love to your beautiful family. Jane Brownie and Darrell Grosser.

    Reply
  50. Adrienne and Tony Arnold

    Our deepest condolences. Thoughts are with you all at this very sad time

    Reply
  51. Dave Weir

    So long “Super Spanner” I learnt a lot from you over the years, Thinking of you all the family, at this time.

    Reply
  52. Barbara Evans

    My prayers and thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.

    Reply
  53. Chris & Cushla

    So sad to hear of Dave’s passing
    Met through the workshop Loved our visits from Dave , many a great yarn with a cuppa
    Just a super human RIP Dave
    Condolences to all the family 💐

    Reply
  54. Terry Bedford

    My condolences to you all I recall getting great advise from Dav when I was doing my apprenticeship.

    Reply

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