16/01/1950 to 01/04/2020 – Died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Dearly loved partner of Wendy Stuart, husband of the late Cheryl.
Loved father and father-in-law of Paula and Wesley Jones (Kowhitirangi) & Tash McLaren and David Cooper (Hay, NSW). Loved Granddad of Zac McLaren & Cody and Ruby Jones. Loved brother of Colleen and Eileen & brother and brother-in-law of Linda and Russell de Malmanche. Adored uncle of all his nieces and nephews and friend of many.
THE RATA TREE HAS FALLEN
Messages to 149 Kaniere Road, Hokitika, 7811
Due to current restrictions, a private family burial has been held, but a celebration of Matt Rata’s life will be advised at a later date.
Sorry for your loss, Paula, Tash, Wendy and families. Thinking of you at this sad time.
Our deepest condolences to Wendy, Paula n Tash n families.
Mat Rata will be sadly missed by so many.
Great guy gone too soon. Probably having a beer or 3 with the big fella upstairs and a few of his mates that have gone before.
So sorry to hear this. RIP Matt Rata. Dennis you will be missed.
Sympathy to all who knew and loved you.
Sorry to hear of Dennis,s passing.deepest sympathy to his family,and to his sisters,and brother in law,Linda,and Russell,,and twin sisters colleen and Eileen..thinking of you all in these trying times..
so sorry guys thinking of you all
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all.
Sincere condolances to the families. Yet another West Coast Character gone but never forgotten
So very sorry thoughts are with you all.
All the good guys are up and leaving us and you certainly were one of em Dennis. A Good Bastard through and through that hated a drink. We shared some great times way back when, Pam and I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family.. Stay well – stay safe
Paula, Tash, Wendy & families thinking of you at this sad time. Treasure the memories & take care.
Sorry to here of your sad loss. Please accept our condolences Wendy,Paula, Tash and families.
So very sorry to read of Dennis’s passing. Our thoughts with his family and siblings. Remember Dennis well from high school days
Dianne and Martin OBrien
So sorry for your loss
Condolences Wendy, Paula, Tash & all the family. Hugs and kisses.
Was so sad to hear this news. Our thoughts are with you Wendy. Paula. Tash and familys
Dave and Kim morrison xx
I’m so so sorry to hear this Paula & Tarsh -what a terrible time for you high & ur whanau – sending much aroha 2 u both & your whanau from Sue-Ann and whanau
Our thoughts are with you Wendy and family. Very saddened to hear this news.
I am so sorry to hear this Paula and Tash and Wendy. Sending love to all your whanau and extended whanau at this difficult time.
Caro, Thomson
I’m so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts go out to Paula and Tash and all the family at this difficult time.
The Mighty Rata has fallen. R.I.P Matt a true gentleman who many will never forget. Send loving and thoughts to you Paula Tash and Wendy and Families ?❤️❤️❤️
Our deepest sympathy in your sad loss. Our thoughts are with you all.
Maggie Houston and Rowley families
Our thoughts are with you Wendy and family
John Rea and Michelle
Condolences to the family.
My sincerely condolences to Paula, Wesley, Cody and Ruby and also the rest of the family on their loss. Big hugs and thinking of you guys. Xx love from the Beltons
You were one of a kind. Made me so welcome to the westcoast. Gone but not forgotten. Aroha to the family. R.I.P MATT.JEA
Another great character of the Coast has gone, a person with a great heart and giving nature, we were all the better for having known him, he helped to shape the Coast into what it is today. Our thoughts are with Wendy and all his family. RIP Dennis, a real good bugger.
Sorry to the family for your loss he will be up there with his mate paul matai wilson
Sorry to hear of your lost Paula n Tarsh thinking of you n ur familys xxxooo RIP Dennis Arohanui Hemi and Karen Mason
Condolences Wendy and extended family .RIP Dennnis.
R.I.P. Dennis (Matt Rata) you will be sadly missed by all who knew you you were a true “Coaster” our tractor treks will not be the same. We send our condolences to the family from your friends in Aussie. Gone but never forgotten.
Des,Lindsay,Hugh, Mal,Ken,Jamie,Scotty,
Very sorry to here the passing of Dennis. Sympathy to all Dennis’s Family and Wendy.RIP Matt
So sorry to hear about Big D, I have many fond memories of him, From Rakaia Marine
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dad tasha and Paula and family. Be so hard especially throughout this time with the restrictions. Remember to cherish the memories of all the good time. Much love to you all xx
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Matt. Sympathy to Wendy Paula Wesley Cody and Ruby, Tarsh Copper and Zak. Fond memories of Matt and ALs antics and a very caring friend to me after ALs passing RIP dear friend
He sure brightened the place up. Lovely man.
So sorry to hear the very sad news of Dennis’s passing, he fought his battle to the end, He was very well thought of. My sincere condolences to you Wendy, Coleen, Eileen and extended family. Take care, Vicky
So sorry to hear of Dennis ‘s passing a good guy and real coast character , condolences to the family , RIP Matt
RIP big fella. Condolences, love & strength to all the family.
Paula and Tarsh Thinking of you at this sad time.Big hugs from Lyn Robinson x
So sorry to hear the loss of a good mate,thinking of you Wendy ,paula and Tash and you families,He was such a good friend to me from the time I came to the Coast and right to the last sad day.
Deepest condolences to Wendy and Matt’s kids.
Absolutely gutted to hear of Matt’s passing. Had so many laughs and good times over the years at Woodstock with Matt. A gentle giant with a great laugh. We’ve all lost a great mate in Matt. When the rata is in bloom Matt we will remember you fondly.
Sheri and Phil and Boys
So sad to hear this Paula & Tash, sad time Mike (Pav) & Ra.
Our thoughts are with you all
Sincere Sympathy
From Russell and Kay Mitchell
Sorry to hear of Dennis’s passing, our condolences to all his family. Barry & Lynda.
To Wendy, Paula, Tash & families. Thinking of you all at this sad time. Dennis was so lucky to have you all with him at the time he needed you most. We know how proud he was of his daughters and grandees. May he rest in peace. Our heartfelt love goes out to you all. We are here for you always Wendy no matter how many miles there is between us. Paula, Craig and family xxx
Our condolences to Dennis’s family and extended family, lots of good memories from the early days .
Keith & Ann Finch
My love and thoughts are with you all, Matt was a Wonderful man and a Friend, Always made me laugh, he will be dearly missed. xoxs
We will Miss you Special Friend. Our thoughts are with you Wendy Paula Tash and your families. Love to you all. Pete Fiona and the Boulton Family Timaru ❤️?
To Wendy and Family, Thinking of you all at this very sad time. Our sincerest sympathy.
Our deepest sympathy to you Wendy and to all Matt’s family. He was such a lovely guy, will be sadly missed by many.
Our thoughts are with you Wendy, Paula, Tash n families. Matt was a great guy and will be deeply missed
Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to Wendy and family on the sad passing of Dennis.
Doug & Yvonne Cochrane.
It’d is so sad to learn of Dennis’s passing. Such a great man, but sadly the rata has fallen. RIP Dennis.
Sympathy to Wendy and a McLaren family our thoughts are with you and Dennis’s friends. RIP Matt Rata.
So very sorry for your loss Wendy. Sincere sympathy to you all.
Our deepest sympathy Wendy, Paula, Tash and families in the sad loss of Dennis.
Will miss him greatly on our Car Club trips. RIP Dennis
Thinking of you all and recalling our fond memories of Dennis. Another genuine South Westland rata has fallen. Deepest sympathy to you all.
Very sorry for your loss. He was a great man, much loved by family and friends.
So sorry to hear the news. Thinking of you all. Much love
So sorry to hear of Dennis’s death at this difficult time,He was a good bloke, always willing to help, always a smile, he will be missed. thinking of you all, Fran and Dave Amberger
It was great to meet him when he was in Hay. Certainly a great character. We are truly sorry for the family’s loss. xx
Dear Wendy and all Dennis’ loving family and friends, so sorry for your loss. Out thoughts are with you.
Jackie & Bob Douglas
Paula snd Tarsh thinking of you all at this sad time xxxx
Dennis, I am so sorry to have just learned of your passing. You will be sadly missed by all, who were lucky enough to
have known you.
Hokitika will never be the same with all the greats going to the higher ground. . Am so very sorry I never got to see you on my last visit. We kept missing each other at the Pioneer Hotel.
Deepest Sympathy to Wendy and your daughters and their Families. Heartfelt sorrow to your Sisters, whom you adored.
From all the Russell Family xxxx
So sorry to hear of your loss. Deepest sympathy to family.
My sincere sympathy to all the McLaren whanau and others to whom he was near and dear on Dennis’ passing.
While Dennis and I followed different paths in later years, he was a great friend through the first three decades of my life and my memories of our times together are nothing but positive. As children, Dennis and I spent many, many happy hours playing together in the farmland, creeks and bush around our homes in Harihari.
There were also many memorable times throughout our teens and twenties when Dennis showed himself to be a great mate and proved to be a true friend when a friend was needed most.
Dennis’ passing is a sad loss, but I am sure he has left all of us with great memories of happy times and he will live on as long as we hold onto those.