The story
The funeral is going to be in the new hall at Wellesley College in Days Bay at 1pm on Friday 25 July.
Following the funeral tea coffee and finger food will be served at the school hall. The immediate family will then take Joe for private cremation.
All guests at the funeral will be welcome to walk over to the Days Bay Pavilion for drinks and a meal after the event at Wellesley College. The family will return to the Pavilion after the private burial. Later in the evening some of Joe's friends are planning drinks at the Eastbourne Rugby Club.
On Saturday 26 (weather permitting) a surfing circle will be held in the bay opposite the Eastbourne Bus Garages. More details on this will be released by Andrew Weir shortly.
Memory wall
30 tributes have been left in memory of Joe Healy.
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The world has just lost a beautiful person that was taken too soon. I was shocked when a friend told me the sad news. You were a part of my younger years, leaving many fine memories of fun, laughter and good times. People come and go in our lives, but some always remain in our soul, weaving their threads into our hearts, creating the tapestry that make up our lives. Joe, you weaved your kindness and fun loving spirit into many people’s hearts. My prayers go out to your family for their loss. - Sheryll Potter-Garbe - Cody, Wyoming and Pohangina, NZ
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From Jonny (John Anda) Farewell Joe my friend. You have left us way too early and long before your time. You will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by your family and friends alike. I will never forget the long chats we had right from those early days at the Romney Arms where you always greeted me and my friends with your wonderful friendly smile. I wont be alone is saying one of your most endearing qualities was that you were a tremendous listener and you always made time for everyone in your social circle and beyond. You were a thoughtful, intelligent, caring and compassionate man. Your memory will live on and remain forever young in our hearts and minds. So long Joe and till we meet again, surf on. Jonny (Jon Anda)
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Being from Christchurch and meeting a Wellingtonian, rugby mad , surfer on the other side of the world was an inspiration to me . I worked with Joe for a number of years in London and travelled to more than a few exotic locations with him. Joe was a natural leader and was never far from making money and having serious fun. His engaging personality was infectious, his strong set values was driven by a uncanny closeness to his Wellington family including his many many friends. Joe held fondness to all things NZ. I recall being with Joe in a pub in London after way too many beers and at some horrendous hour we discovered that the bars phone was able to be used, so Joe calls his Mum in Wellington for a chat. Who else would do that. There are many story's that I am sure will be told tomorrow. Joe on a personal level , mate you had a full life and really were an angel , you were put her on a journey to show others how life should be lived, I'm just grateful that I was lucky enough to have meet you. Dam it you left us too soon, rest in peace big guy, keep smiling and laughing, watch down upon your family, Galv
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Flame Trees - Cold Chisel
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Here is a summary of Joe's life - from my point of view, with some help from Aunty Trish - (Jessie his eldest niece). Joe grew up in York Bay - the youngest son of Jean and Jim Healy, brother of Patricia, Catherine and Peter. Christened Stephen Walter Healy, he always went by the name Joe, the name his dad had wanted for him. Only his mum kept calling him his given name Stephen. To everyone else he was Joe. The middle name Walter was for their neighbour Wallie Shearer who always drove Joe’s Mum into hospital even on the middle of night when she was giving birth. In the days before taxis and as Jim at that stage could not drive and they had no car, such wonderful neighbours played a vital part. Joe was a fun-loving kid, with a sense of mischief and lots of friends from the local neighbourhood. Eastbourne was their playground and they spent all their time outdoors, in the bush, the sea and up trees. After graduating from Victoria, and spending a few years playing rugby, surfing, skiing and partying hard, (sometimes a bit too hard!). Joe worked for a bit In the Public service Joe was an industrial relations mediator or taking the side of the Public service who employed him. He met to hear the case for both sides in public service industrial disputes and said while it was strange having to take the part of the Public Service against his parents old mates. His heart wasn't in it at all and after a few months he left. Joe was always a true entrepreneur. The suit just didn't suit him and he was soon off to London pursuing more adventure and fun with his surfing and rugby mates. He headed off round the world with his beloved surfboard in tow! Not surprisingly, they had a lot of problems on the New York underground. Four Kiwi boys from Eastbourne with their surfboards. Not what you saw in those days. (My aunt says when she saw me in Barcelona with two snowboards she though it must run in the family!). Once in London Joe and a few friends set up a cleaning company that allowed them to spend as much time as possible surfing the beaches of Bali and Majorca, or skiing in the alps. I remember visiting him when I was a 9-year-old in London - he had a dark tan, set off by Raybans and a white linen shirt. So 80s! He took us to and All-You-Can-Eat Spagetti House and on one evening, proudly cooked us 'boil in the bag'. My brother and I thought he was the coolest dude we'd ever met. When he bought me a Jason Donovan record his position as favourite uncle was settled. After several more years living the good life all over the globe, the New Zealand shores called him home and Joe settled back in NZ. He used to join us on family ski trips, much to the excitement of me and my brother. He’d whizz down the ski slopes in his 80s ski gear at breakneck speed. One day he even conceded ‘don’t tell your dad, but on a sunny day these pistes are as good as any in the French Alps’. Joe being Joe, the sun always seemed to shine when he came with us! Not long after, he met the love of his life - Kirsty Cresswell. Charming, creative, smart, and artistic as well as beautiful she was an instant hit with all his friends and family. They set a date and jetted off to Fiji for a fairytale wedding complete with horses galloping down the beach! Joe and Kirsty were a great match and soon had two boys - Jack and Flynn. Working together running two businesses as well as raising a family - they were a team with an amazing bond. Joe was a completely devoted father, and he loved bringing up his boys in that same neighbourhood where he grew up. He never stopped looking for fun and enjoying the adventures of life. His last day on earth he was with the people he loved, having another adventure on a beautiful island in Thailand. Goodbye to the coolest uncle a kid could hope for. You taught me that you don't have to follow the conventional path, how to ski faster than my dad and that it was possible to run a successful business from a beach in Bali before the internet was even invented! You packed so much into 56 years - and your empathy and compassion for others never waned. May your spirit shine on in your two boys. You'll be so missed by all of us. Surf on in heaven Uncle Joe.
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Sunset from Joe and Kristy's deck.
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Cricket at The Mount.
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Margaret and Al Mate's wedding.
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Surfer's paradise 1980
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With his brother and two sisters - Catherine, Patricia, Peter.
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Alan's wedding 1991 with Alan and Hoss.
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