Steve Fitzgerald Tribute

Steve Fitzgerald online Memorial

Memories of Steve Fitzgerald

Fitz

Peta-Marie McLeod (Aug 03, 2008)

I was in Dublin when i received a number of calls from former road safety collegues letting me know about Steves death and it felt like a stomach punch. My 1st meeting with Steve was in his very early days of Road Safety when he attended a conference in CHCH and after his presentation all I could think was 'this guy is going to kick some butt and rock the bueracracy" with some of what was considered pretty radical statements at the time and I believe was my first step into putting Steve on a pedestal as my road safety hero. Melbourne - meeting Pam for the first time with the LTSA/Police bosses at a gathering that somehow I managed to get myself invited to, RSC Conferences that Fitz's wicked laugh could be heard across a room full of people, Steve spotting my newly peireced tongue from the front of the room whilst I was at the back and telling me off for getting it!, Turning up in whites at a RSC Conference in Palmerston North and looking oh so handsome, coming to a launch of Crossroads exhibition in Nelson with very short notice and saying "of course I will be there", telling me that I had to babysit the presenters at Conference dinners so they had someone to dance with, tons and tons of fabulous memories

I spoke to Steve just 3 weeks his death before I left for overseas and we talked about the good old days of Road Safety, the fun we had and that we were like one great big family who cared for each other, and drunk too many beers and danced a little bit late! I will miss his funny little emails giving me a hard time about a boy i use to know , urging me to go back into road safety knowing it was my passion and the sparing via email to see who could get the best comeback line. He was a referee on my CV and my most recent employer has told me that when he rung Steve he was told to"grab her and dont let her get away cos shes fantastic, but watch the booze cabinet"...such a Steve thing to do


To Steves family my love and care to you all, if i could have been there to say goodbye to the great man that was Fitz I would have been though did ask Harry Hayes to ensure my thoughts were sent to you at the time

To Fitz - Heaven has a new angel be it a slightly louder, radical version of the norm and I am sure you are keeping them all on their toes. Rest well my friend

Arohanui
Peta-Mariexxx

My Memory

Pauline Wright (Jul 22, 2008)

To Mat, your son, a colleague of mine at Naval Staff, Wellington. Mat and your family I have only just heard of the news of your Dad and was shocked. I now live in the UK and write to say Robin and I's thoughts are with you. Congratulations on becoming a Constable yourself and you're in a great organisation that has alot of support for it's own.

Our thoughts are with you. Live your life to the max.
Pauline, Robin and Christie
ex PRO Naval Staff

Hi Dale ,Steve Fitz

Dale Kahaki (Jul 19, 2008)

Its hard to believe that I wont hear that intro on my phone again when it rings ,or that you wont sit in my kitchen and polish off a hole banana cake.

I have found it hard to come to terms with your tragic passing,I tried to get to your service but the hole central plateau was closed due to snow ,I hope you understand.

I remember first meeting you in Wellington in 2000 and hearing you r enthusiasm and plans for Road Policing ,it was a real pleasure to work with you and share your visions and ideas.There are many kiwis alive today Fitz because of the initiatives you implemented.

You always had the ability to draw people in and get them to grasp your ideas , Your leadership ,mentoring,friendship ,humor and whit will be sadly missed ,but you will always be remembered

Im not good at this stuff so ill sign off for now,but I ll see you again sometime Fitz

Kia Kaha

From Keith, Jean and Richard

The Carrolls and Twilley clan (Jul 09, 2008)

A sound man that has left us with so many great memories of a strong thoughtful and caring person who will remain forever in the hearts of those lucky enough to come into contact with him.

My Memory

Janice (Jun 29, 2008)

I remember Steve from his days when working in Lower Hutt, while I was at Hutt City Council.
Steve, you made such a hugh contribution to Policing in New Zealand and you did make a big difference, which can't be measured in words. You did make the roads a safer place.
My thoughts are with your family, friends and colleagues who are trying to come to terms with this terrible and very sudden loss.
You will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.
Janice

The UK fan club

Mary and Richard (Jun 28, 2008)

Hi again Steve. Just letting you know that a bunch of your friends got together in London for out own little send-off. There was Richard and me, Sarah vdH, Cameron B and Ben Kelly. Nick Perry was kind enough to let us use his office at NZ House. It was 11am Wednesday 25th - although 11 hrs behind NZ we wanted to mark that particular time and date. John vdH spoke to us by speaker phone and talked us through your funeral - the cold weather, carrying your body into the church, the eulogies, Pam's bravery in getting up to talk about you, the music, the final journey up Molesworth Street. He painted it so clearly, we were able to picture it in our minds. Not the same as being there, but I think it helped all of us as we come to terms with you leaving us so suddenly.
Goodbye again Steve. We'll remember you always.

My Memory

Barry Quinlan (Jun 26, 2008)

It was really a shock to hear of his death. We use to go running together when he was a
Constable at Auckland Airport in the early 1980's, I remember him as a fit man at that time. I believe as a Police Officer and privately he has left a legacy to New Zealand.

Goodbye Fitz

Ian Walker (Jun 25, 2008)

You were an outstanding man "Pops". You made a new boy fresh into the workforce feel welcome and gave him a goal. You made our office an amazing place to work and passed on a sense of humour I've carried to every business meeting since. You will always be remembered for the smiles you brought to everyones faces and all your good work.

Cheers

Ian

Fitzy

Leanne Meikle (Jun 24, 2008)

You always said "have a goal and go for it". Your support and wise words will never be forgotten... (and I am working towards that goal :D )

xx

Teenage friendship

Roger and Christine Sharp (Jun 24, 2008)

Happy memories of good times together at Clarendon Park Baptist Church YPF. You looked great in Christine's hat, Stephen. Love and Prayers for all the family in England and New Zealand

Roger and Christine Sharp

Fitzy

Rachael Bambery (Jun 24, 2008)

I am going to miss you….
I’d like to thank you for the advice, support and of course the laughs over the years.
It still makes me laugh to remember the office fun you created by sneaking the yellow pages into a visitors’ bag so when they arrived home they found the Wellington yellow pages in their luggage… And this was before they were on line so when we ran out of them in the office we knew where to look.
It was also fun hanging out with you and Pam in London.
You will be missed but never forgotten.
R.

Steve the 'gym bunnie' & potatoe grower

Charlene and Martin Leitner (Jun 23, 2008)

what an honor it is to have known you. you will be sadly missed by all. I think everyone will miss your humor and muttering. Everyone at the gym knew the man with the white hair and the good looking legs! we got you up on stage and we secretly knew you loved it, but you would mutter away, it was great entertainment in those body attack classes! Sometimes we would get you up for an 'easy' one and tease you about being an old man, other times for a hard track and say you needed it!

At home with Pam, your garden is amazing, i will never forget one time when you caught me 'stealing' your home grown potato from the cooking pot, do you like my potatoes charlie you asked. We would swap gardening tips and talk about tomatoes, radishes etc. it was really special to be included in your and Pam's lives.

its a real bugger you aren't here anymore it will take a while to get used to it. Ella has said she will miss your tickles and being hung upside down, Anton will miss you chasing him. Martin will miss your company and mentoring he connected with you and is struggling with your loss, I will miss your matter of fact way, humor, muttering, hugs and friendship, and of course those lovely calves!!!

We love you Steve and Pam.

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