October 17, 1948 – November 24, 2024. Passed away at the Hokitika airport weather station, doing the work he loved, aged 76 years. Son of the late Fay and Bryan, dearly loved brother of Rowena, cherished uncle of Andrew, and Heather, and friend to the many he shared his life with. Former meteorologist, tramper, researcher, and resident of Hokitika. Mark also spent many happy years on the islands – Campbell, Raoul, and the Chathams. A life well lived. Messages to Mark’s Family, c/o Thompson Funeral Directors, PO Box 131, Hokitika 7842, or can be left on Mark’s tribute page at www.thompsonfd.co.nz. In accordance with Mark’s wishes a private cremation has been held.
Mark Bryan Crompton MNZM
November 24, 2024
Mark, thank you so much for all your help writing weather stories over the years. Wind, rain, or hail, you were always upbeat and happy to help. I will miss you, and your amazing expertise and knowledge. Wherever you are, I hope the weather is lively and thrilling.
Farewell Swampy. A great team member on Campbell Island 1969-1970 and good friend ever since.
Catch you in the great observatory in the sky.
Moth.
R.I.P Swampy,You will be missed.
You will leave a legacy in Hokitika for many of us
Always enjoyed having a yarn with Mark your weather forecast will be missed RIP it was a pleasure to know you sincere condolences to the family and we’ll have a wee gin in your honor from Janice and Brett
RIP Mark, such a lovely gentleman! Condolences to Mark’s family.
So sad I will miss seeing you on a Sunday
Condolences on the loss of Mark, His order of Merit was more than well deserved. His loss will be felt by so many as he did so much for our community and further afield.
Such a shock! RIP Mark condolences to his family. A very lovely man.
Very sad to hear of Marks passing,he was one of my favourite customers at New World Cafe, condolences to Marks family and friends
So sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. Wasn’t long ago that we were talking about the 120 trips into the Lathrop glacier, monitoring it.
Such a great man, he will be missed
A real gentleman. It was lovely knowing you. RIP Mark.
Shocked and very sad to read this.
Your knowledge and stories will be missed.
You will be fondly remembered.
My condolences to Mark’s family. He was a valued committee member of Heritage Hokitika.
His talk at our AGM was both illuminating and amusing. Mark had a very interesting life. He will be sadly missed.
RIP Mark.
My condolences to Mark’s family
A special man in our community
A loved and respected mentor to his mentees in Big Brother’s Big Sisters
I will miss my chats with him and his great sense of humour
Rest In Peace Matk
On the first working day of every month, rain or shine, Mark would appear in our office with his in-depth weather report. It’s a fond memory of my time in Hokitika and I count myself lucky to have been graced with Mark’s wit, humour, and immense knowledge over the years, even after leaving the Coast. My thoughts with all his loved ones, may peace and comfort find you during this difficult time
Deepest condolences to Marks Family a True Gentleman and and Hokitika Icon who will be missed by everyone.
Goodbye Sir Swamps. The time I spent with you on Campbell was an honour, along with all the other catch ups over the years. You will be missed.
Goodbye Swampy. Was a pleasure to be with you on Campbell 1970-1971.Had your 21st there! Have enjoyed seeing you in Hokitika over the years since. Condolences to your family. you will be missed.
Aah Mark, you will be missed. Loved your dry sense of humour, I couldn’t help but crack a smile. Your stories were stuff of legends and you will be remembered, always, with fondness.
One of lifes good guys. I never shared a Meteorological Office with Swamps, but was very grateful for the times we did share in recent years. Brilliant memories of our last catch-up in Nov 2022- some classic yarns, very nice red wine and then voice recording his responses to about a dozen questions about life on Campbell Island (a special place to us both). To me he was the grandfather of the meteorological observer community. Cirrus invading from the west. Shall we stand and fight, or run and hide?
HI Ya Roscoe – I shared a year with you, and then 2 years with Mark at Campbell Island.
I still laugh sometimes at the balaclava that Sheila knitted you, and you shrank the hell out of it.
Cheers
Roger
Farewell Hen, a much respected and valued friend of Neville and Lynne Brown and Godfather to Greg. Many great meals together and a couple of wonderful reunions.
Farewell Sir Swampy.
Glad we got to catch up in February 2024 in Hokitika for a nice dinner.
Flash back to those 2 year – 730+ days – we spent together with a very small crew (4 one year, 5 the next) on Campbell Island from Oct 1989 to Oct 1991.
I wonder if Huey will hire you to do weather observations up there – I guess though that he probably can’t stop you.
Farewell and RIP Swampy. I think he knew Campbell Island like the back of his hand. A legend of the Meteorological Service.
A true Weatherman right to the end.