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Stanley Petrie Dawson. QSM, JP (Rtd), Retired Police Constable 2279

December 30, 2022

Passed away peacefully at home in Hokitika, on December 30, 2022, surrounded with love, aged 88.  Dearly loved husband of the late Ruth (2012), loved and cherished father of Danielle, Ceridwyn, and Lorelei, respected father-in-law of John, and Oliver. Loved Grandad to Myles and Sarah, Laura and Damian, and Felicity; Tim and Courtney, Oliver and Kate; Max, and Brydie.  Grandad Stan to William, and Oliver; Noah, Eli, and Etera; Tiggy, Vada, and Eliza; and Luca.  Loved son of the late George and Ruby (nee Hibbs) Dawson, dearly loved brother and brother-in-law of George and Margaret (both deceased), Arthur and Helen (Greymouth), Clarke (deceased), Jim (deceased) and Pam (Christchurch), Colleen and Colin (deceased)  Hall (Wellington) and Karen and Frank Bradley (Hokitika), loved brother-in-law of Ruth’s family in the UK, a loved uncle to his nephews and nieces in New Zealand, Australia and the UK, a cousin and friend of many.  Donations in lieu of flowers to Hokitika District Nurses would be appreciated and may be made at the service. Messages to 175 Rolleston Street, Hokitika 7810, or can be left on Stan’s tribute page at www.thompsonfd.co.nz.  A celebration of Stan’s life will be held in the Westland High School Hall, Hokitika, entrance off Hampden Street, on Saturday January 14, commencing at 1.pm. Private cremation to follow. The service will be livestreamed.

88 Comments

  1. Bev and Dom Manera

    So sad to hear this news. such a lovely man. Our deepest sympathy to all the whanau and friends.

    Reply
    • Doug & Yvonne Cochrane.

      So sorry to hear of the passing of Stan.
      Our sincere condolences to all of Stans family.
      Stan would have been one of the most pleasant police officers you could ever have met back in the day.
      A legend in his own right.
      RIP Stan.🌹🌹🌹

      Reply
    • Alan, Bronwyn and Josh Wafer

      Deepest sympathy for your loss. Stan was a lovely man and will be missed.

      Reply
  2. Sally Bateup(McMurtrie)

    Danielle, Ceridwyn and Lorelei, I`m so sorry to hear of your Dad`s passing. I have fond memories of Constable Stan growing up in Hokitika. He was very much liked and respected by everyone.

    Reply
    • Kaye and Jim McNabb

      Rest in Peace Stan. You were a fine man and a great example.

      Reply
    • Gina Straker nee Blair

      Condolences to the Dawson family. R.I.P Stan

      Reply
    • Wilson Megan

      Deepest sympathies to Ceridwyn, Danielle and Lorelei and families.
      A wonderful man, a treasure of the community lost, but at peace and resting easy after a life of dedicated service.
      RIP Stan
      Another might Totara has fallen.

      Reply
    • JL Foster

      Sorry to hear of your dad’s passing Danielle, Ceridwyn, and Lorelei. Thoughts are with you. Jill and Grant Foster.

      Reply
  3. Shirley Grant

    Our deepest sympathy to Stan’s Family. What a special guy, he will be missed by you all. You will have some great stories to reminisce over. Lots of love Kelvin & Shirley Grant ❤

    Reply
    • Carlene Packham

      Thinking of you all at this sad time – always enjoyed all my dealings with Stan – such a lovely man. Carlene and Alan

      Reply
      • Ivan Wilson

        Top man, top Policeman and great member of our Coast Community. Respect.

        Reply
        • Janet and Gerald Keats

          Deepest Sympathy to all Stan’s family. We have very fond memories of Stan as a member of the police force, member of the Hokitika racing club and personal family friend who supported us in some difficult times RIP.

          Reply
      • Angela & Stephen Keenan

        Danielle, Ceridwyn, Lorelei and Families. – Condolences to you all at this sad time – Stan was well respected & a lovely gentleman of our community

        Reply
      • Shirree Thomson

        Sorry for your loss. Stan was such a nice man. RIP stan

        Reply
  4. Lyn Robinson

    To ,Stans Family, accept our love and sympathy at this sad time. We will remember Stan with great fondness.
    Hugs to all, Lyn and Erl Robinson Kumara Junction

    Reply
  5. Leanne DIEDRICHS

    Sorry to hear of your loss xxx thinking of you all at this sad time

    Reply
    • Winnie matthews

      Sad to see that you passed Stan,you were always a happy go lucky and always had that smile,rest easy good friend

      Reply
  6. Bryan and Sandra Cudmore

    Deepest condolences to Danielle Ceridwyn Lorelei and Families. R.I.P Stan a true Gentleman who will be missed by all. Hold onto your memories you have them for life. Love and thoughts with you all at this difficult time ahead.💙💙💙

    Reply
    • Diane Chesmar

      So sorry for your loss Danielle and family, thinking of you at this sad time.

      Reply
  7. Diane Fairhall

    Danielle, So sorry to hear of Stan’s passing. A lovely, lovely man. Thinking of you all.

    Reply
  8. Lois Meldrum

    So sorry for your loss Stan was a wonderful man and had a great sense of humour.

    Reply
    • Helen Nolan

      My condolences to all the family at this sad time. RIP Stan 🙏
      Many happy Haast memories with the Dawson’s xxx

      Reply
  9. Carole Hebbend

    Have lovely memories of Stan when he used to come into the Railway for a bet on the TAB. He was a lovely man.R.I.P.Stan.

    Reply
  10. Des Madgwick

    Sorry to hear of Stan’s passing he was a true gentleman and a great policeman our sympathy to all his family.

    Reply
  11. Merle Mason

    My condolences and sympathy to you all.

    Reply
    • Kaye Gugich

      Huge sly respected. Wishing a warm farewell and peaceful rest

      Reply
  12. Roni Wright

    Danielle, Ceridwyn, Lorelei. So sorry to read of Stans passing. My thoughts and love are with you all at this sad time. Stan was such a lovely man who will be so missed. I will remember him with great fondness.

    Reply
    • Michelle and Roland

      Dearest Danielle, Ceridwyn, Lorelei and your extended family, so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Such a delight to talk to and to listen to his many stories of his early days as a policeman. He will be sorely missed by many who knew him. May he RIP.

      Reply
  13. Peter Beban

    Sorry to hear of Stan’s passing Danielle and family. I had many dealings with Stan over the years and found him a top rate guy, and gentleman.

    Reply
  14. Diane & John Craig

    Deepest sympathy to all the family. Stan was a great man. Well respected in the community.

    Reply
  15. Raquel Wilson

    An amazing man who accomplished so much. He will be dearly missed by his family. 💕

    Reply
    • Vanessa Hay and Errol Schroder

      Sorry to hear of Stan’s passing.
      He was a lovely guy and will be missed by all.

      Reply
  16. Michelle Manera

    Deepest condolences to Stan’s family

    Reply
  17. Cheryl Hutchison

    Sincere sympathy to Danielle,Ceridian and Lorelei and you lovely families. RIP Stan. A great Father and grandfather to you all. Such a gentleman of much respect within the Coast community. Will be sadly missed but the memories live on forever.
    Thinking of you all with love. Cheryl Brian and family.

    Reply
    • Nancy Woolhouse

      Thinking of you all at this sad time.

      Reply
  18. Donna kersten

    Thoughts are with you all at this time RIP Stan

    Reply
  19. Dave Weir

    Yes, one of the most fair and level policemen I have ever had the pleasure to meet in my life, had several telling off’s by Stanley Petrie. My thoughts are also with the family. RIP Stanley.

    Reply
  20. Sharyn Symons

    Deepest sympathy to all the family. Stan was a lovely man and an admired policeman- always fair. With dear Ruth again

    Reply
    • Bryce and Sue Bousfield

      We are sorry to hear of Stan’s passing. Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time.

      Reply
  21. Colleen Gibb

    Thinking of you all at this sad time. Fond memories of Stan , growing up in Hokitika.. R I P Stan.

    Reply
  22. Noeline Minehan

    Deepest sympathy to you all he was a lovely neighbour Minehan family

    Reply
  23. Shirley Robinson (nee Broadbelt)

    So sorry for your loss. Much aroha from me and my family. Stan was a great man and cop. RIP Stan.

    Reply
    • Jill Robinson

      Saddened to hear about the loss of Stan.
      A fine gentleman.
      Thinking of all Stan’s family at this time. 🙏

      Reply
  24. Margaret Suggett (Kearns)

    Sincere condolences to all the family on the loss of Stan.
    Fond memories of Stan when growing up in Hokitika. RIP.

    Reply
  25. Margaret Martin

    Danielle, Ceridwyn and Lorelei and families. So sorry to hear of Stan’s passing. Thoughts are with you all at this sad time
    Margaret and Scott

    Reply
  26. Alan (Flea) Mitchell

    Condolences to all Stan’s family. Very sorry to learn of Stan’s passing. I have great memories of Stan in the 1960-70s had a few runs out the back doors of pubs when he came to visit the publicans after hours he was always fare and a good swift kick up the bum dune more good than the pussy footing around now. A great old respected Police man at rest. R I P Stan

    Reply
  27. John & Margaret Atkinson

    To the Dawson Family, Our deepest sympathy in the sad loss of you loved Stan.

    Reply
  28. Ann Marie Wall

    Sincere condolences, thinking of you at this sad time

    Reply
  29. gwen Balloch

    i remember Stan help[ng me when I was living in Hokitika. Thankyou for all Help and kindness shown to myself and four daughters. Sympathjy to all. Gwen Balloch nee King

    Reply
    • Ellen Matthews

      Condolences to all of Stan’s family. Very sad to hear of his passing. A lovely man & a great old school policeman.

      Reply
    • Mary Findlay

      Deepest sympathy in the loss of your much loved Stan. One of the best. Mary & Jim Findlay

      Reply
  30. Barbara Inch (nee Fleming)

    Sincere sympathy on the loss of Stan. I remember him and Ruth well as neighbours when growing up in Revell Street in the 1960s. They were both well respected in the community.

    Reply
  31. Rebekah Varricchio

    Sincere condolences, thinking of you all at this time.

    Reply
  32. Sue and Peter Coghlan

    Sincere condolences to Stan,s family. A very respected policeman and a gentleman was Stan. Many dealings with him in the younger years in the 70,s resulted in a reprimand and a warning. A fair referee when playing rugby union. Sadden to hear of his passing, fondly thought off.

    Reply
  33. Ann Bradley

    My deepest sympathy to all Stan’s family. He was a great policeman and an absolute gentleman. RIP Stan..

    Reply
  34. Carole Jones

    Deepest sympathy and love to Danielle, Ceridwyn & Lorelei and families.
    Arthur, Colleen & Karen and families. Fondest memories of cousin Stan & Ruth through out the years. May you rest in peace Stan⚘

    Reply
    • Jennie Scott

      Thinking of you Danielle, Ceridwyn and Lorelei. Fond memories of playing at your family home as a child and of Stan keeping us younger ones in line in the Southland.

      Reply
  35. Teresa Eden

    Deepest sympathy to Danielle, Ceridwyn, Lorelei and families. Thinking of you all. Very fond memories of Stan.

    Reply
  36. Rob and Leanne McGill

    Deepest sympathy to the Dawson family we will miss Stan on our street as much as we missed Ruth when she went he was a great Coast identity RIP Stan xx

    Reply
  37. Averil Thorpe

    With deepest sympathy. Constable Stan Dawson, you were one of a kind . Always a cherry face around my old home town. May peace surround you now and forever.

    Reply
  38. Gail Bradley

    Deepest Sympathy to all the family. Stan was one of the good guys, a well respected man, family man, policeman. He will be sadly missed. RIP Stan.

    Reply
  39. Raylene and John

    A wonderful man, Rest In Peace, Poppa Stan.

    Reply
  40. Dave Madgwick

    Stan turned around the lives of so many young people in Hokitika. A true gentleman and a great policeman, I always had great respect for Stan . Condolences to the family

    Reply
  41. Ida Havill

    Deepest Sympathy to the family. Stan was most respected and fond Cousin. RIP.

    Reply
  42. Sister Tui Cadigan RSM

    Sincere condolences to the Dawson family. Stan earned the respect of the whole community because of his wisdom and genuine compassion. So easy to deal with. Rest in peace Stan. Kia kaha whanau.

    Reply
  43. John and Yvonne Vroblfski

    So sorry to here of stans passing a gentleman and a great cop many a time i had the peace of papper with Stanley petrie dawson’s, signature on it but we always sorted it out we had a lot of laughs they were great days,my condolences to Danielle ,Ceridwyn,and lorelei and family’s

    Reply
  44. Ingrid and John Warner

    So sorry Danielle, Ceridwyn, Lorelei and extended family to hear about Stan’s passing! He will always have a special place in our heart. He was one in a million, so respected and well-liked in the community!
    RIP Stan

    Reply
  45. Larry Ching

    Condolences to the Dawson family on the loss of Stan. A great community policeman who had a very respectful way of dealing with people. Admired by my family for the care and support he gave to us and others in the community. A role-model for successful community policing and very committed family man. Rest at peace Stan. You made a difference.

    Reply
  46. Rod Browning

    With deepest sympathy to Stan’s family. I have the very greatest respect for Stan, who had earned the same respect from the whole community. He was a policeman of the old school, well liked and thoroughly respected. He had a special ability to manage people, and especially young people, with calmness, fairness and firmness. He always demonstrated compassion, commonsense and wisdom, resulting in a no-nonsense yet kind approach to justice. He will always have a special place in the community’s heart and memory. While he will be missed, he will always be remembered as the quintessential role-model of a successful community policeman.

    Reply
  47. Linda Manera

    To Danielle Ceridwyn Lorelei and families so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful man thinking of you all at this time.

    Reply
  48. Donna McBrydie

    I’m sending condolences and sympathy to you girls and your families while having a chuckle at the same time. He had a special gift of doing his job keeping his dignity and those he had to deal with learned good lessons. RIP Stan.

    Reply
  49. Lois Wotton

    So sad to learn of Stan’s passing. A past rugby mate of my late husband David, many moons ago! Fond memories of both he and Ruth. You girls were all little, so probably won’t remember us! Sincere sympathy to you all.
    Lois Wotton (née Twohill) Oamaru.

    Reply
  50. Merryn and Brian O’Malley

    To Danielle, Ceridwyn, Lorelei and families. Thinking of you all at this sad time on the passing of Stan.

    Reply
  51. Greame and Angela Anderson

    Please accept our sympathy for the loss of your dad father-in-law and grandfather. You will miss all the good times but will never forget him. R.I.P

    Reply
  52. Ross and Maven Stewart

    Dear Dawson family – so sorry to hear about the loss of Stan. Great memories of playing and referring rugby with Stan, as well as many meetings held in the back room of the Police Station. A great coaster – will be sadly missed.

    Reply
  53. Tarn Murtha

    Condolences to the family. RIP Stan

    Reply
  54. Annemarie Greig

    Deepest condolences to Stan’s family. Thinking of you all during this sad time. RIP Stan.

    Reply
  55. Chris and Dianne Ward

    Deepest sympathy to Stan’s family.

    Reply
  56. Des Adamson

    Danielle Ceridwyn and Lorelei
    So very sad to hear of your Dad’s passing
    My condolences are with you and family
    RIP Stan as you were one of the best kind

    Reply
  57. Jacqui Paterson

    Sorry to hear of this very sad news. Condolences to all of Stan’s family.

    Reply
  58. Ken Reece

    Stan Dawson
    It was sad to read of Stan’s passing.
    Having known Stan for many years I found him to be one straight shooter…what you saw was what you got…and you can’t ask any more than that
    …we have lost a good man.
    To the Dawson family we wish to convey our deepest sympathy.
    May he rest in peace
    Lyn McIntosh and
    Ken Reece

    …..

    Reply
  59. Vicky Bennett

    My sincere condolences and love go out to you Danielle and to your extended family. He will be missed.

    Stan Dawson!!!. What a man, pillar of the community, well loved for his high standard of policing in his day and also his community work, he will be missed by many people. I have so many happy memories of us ( Ruth and Pete ) together. I will miss him. Rest in peace Stan.
    Vicky B

    Reply
  60. Evan Smith

    Reading the comments above it is easy to see that Stan touched the lives of many people in a great way .Having had the privilege of working with Stan and seeing the calm caring but at times no nonsense way he approached people I can say that Stan was well worthy of these thoughts. It was a honor to have known you. Rest in peace Stan.

    Reply
  61. Tom Gear

    My condolences to family, a fine thoughtful gentleman, Stan was always great to talk to and a highly respected person. Thank you for your service, Stand down. Moe Moe Ra R,I.P

    Reply
  62. Michelle Sutherland

    Condolences to Stan’s family .
    Such a lovely gentleman and
    long-time friend of my Uncle Harold .

    RIP Stan .

    Reply
  63. ken holmes. kenrobyn

    please accept my deepest sympathy. stan and myself were constables at greymoutn in the early 1960 s . before stan transferred to hokitika. he was good workmate and friend. i lost touch with him after that for quite a few years. but was pleased to see him again a few years ago on savage club visits to hokitika where he was a member. of the hokitika club. i also knew his brothers when i was growing up at camerons.and that really is a long time ago. stan will be sadly missed . kindest regards . ken holmes. nelson. .

    Reply
  64. Nancy Woolhouse

    Thinking of you all at this sad time

    Reply
  65. Don Frame

    Stan Dawson. Sorry I was unable to attend the service. You have now joined your bothers, George and Jimmy.
    It was sad to read of Stan’s passing. Having known Stan and Ruth for many years, in Invercargill and later on the Coast. Stan was a good friend and well respected in what ever Profession he took part in. To the Dawson family I send my condolence and deepest sympathy to the girls and their families.

    Reply

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