TRIBUTES

Dawn

Nick Van Veen

Sam Stairmand

Ash (Poem)

Postgate School (two former teachers reflect)

Gen-i (a different perspective)


From Dawn Jean Cook-Fletcher – Steven’s oldest sister

 

“Hello Baby Brother,
 
We thought it might be nice for you and Cosmo to keep each other company until we can see you both again :-)
 
I know that you will look after her just as we will look after that fat cat of yours that seems to mew every time you pick her up!! Haha.
 
Sleep well beautiful one.
Love you more then you would have ever known! You were the best brother ever.
 
Dawn.
Xxxxx”

“I don’t have a speech as such, more 2 memories that I would like to share.
 
I came home for Steven’s 21st and we spent a day together. On this particular day he had to collect me from home as I had no car and he came in his Mini. This was the first time I had been in it and it was a very smooth ride until just after Paekakariki. There were heaps of roadworks going on at the time for the bridge over McKays crossing and so lots of workmen were on the side of the road. Steven being Steven thought it would be hilarious to seriously bunny hop this Mini like it hadn’t been before to embarrass me in front of all these blokes. Not only that, he proceeded to wind down his window to wave out at them but also toot the whole way. I was hunched down as low as you could get in a Mini and covering my face….. I can still hear him laughing so hard at me!
 
My second memory was also the last time I saw him. I came home in March as a surprise visit and spent the afternoon with him on his birthday and just hung out. We went for a long walk along Oriental Parade and got an ice-cream to eat while sitting on a bench watching the water fountain and talking about random things.

On the walk back into the city we saw Jerry Collins and Steven said I should take a photo but I didn’t want to make it obvious. So I made him stand there and I zoomed in over Steven's shoulder to take it, he thought it was hilarious. I loved that day with him and I am just sad that there won't be any more.
 
Baby Brother you were the most awesome person in the world and I couldn’t have asked for a better Brother or Mate.
 
Sleep well bro, we love you.”

 
(Note from Dad - Dawn’s much loved family cat “Cosmo” lost her 9th life to a car mid-2007 while Dawn was still in the UK – Cosmo's ashes were buried with Steven and this is what she is referring to above)

 


 

Nick Van Veen.....
 

 

 

(Taken at Steven's 21st in Otaki)

“I will always remember Steve as the most passionate person to have graced the earth.

There was so much that compelled him – his music, his bikes, his friends, his family and so many other things that I just don’t have time to list them all.

I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to bask in the glow that radiated from him at all times, thanks to his amazing personality. He will be sorely missed by the many people who loved him, but we will never forget such an incredible character.

I’ll certainly never forget all of those deep intellectual and emotional conversations we had, which really helped me to gain a greater appreciation for life in general.

Thanks Steve for being such a great mate, I’ll treasure our time together always and I’ll catch you later in another time and place.”

* * * * *

(From Steven’s Dad – Thanks Nick for being such a good mate to Steven – we know that coming back from Hong Kong was a hell of a trek for you, and under such trying circumstances, and then having to go back leaving the comfort of all your mates and family behind.  You know we’re always here for you whenever the going gets tough.  And you know, you don’t always have to “Harden up”. Sometimes, pain really proves the true emotions.)

 


 

 

Sam Stairmand (Sammy Stairmaster) shares his loss of Steven.....

 

 

“Steve was the brother that I never had. We always talked about what it would be like once we hit forty, and we were so rich it was disgusting. I never ever had a dull moment with Steve, the times we had together were hilarious, like when my parents asked us to look after my sisters eighteenth at out place, but we somehow managed to knock back a bottle or so of jimmies, and became the most drunk of anybody that was there.

The Mission Concert in Hawkes Bay was an annual occurance and always ended with a loss of balance, speech degeneration, a lack of basic motor skills, and an inevitable tumble down the bank, chilli-bin and chairs in hand.

Above all, Steve was genuine, stood up for what he believed in, and always took care of his mates. His lust for life, fast motorvehicles, and fast women, will never be second to anyone. I could go on forever, but by now I would have fallen subject to one of Steves brilliant insults, that only he could get away with.

I love you mate, and you will always live on in all of our hearts.”

(From Steven’s Dad – Sam, you are a legend. The duet of Steven and you singing "The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" will always bring a fond memory to me, and how I long to be able to yell at the two of you at 3am to 'quieten down, there's good chaps'.

We see the loss in your eyes as we do with Luke and Aaron, Alan, Nick & Zack, Steven's cousins and so many friends. Steven was truly blessed to be able to count you all as mates.


 

Scan of a Poem by Steven's friend Ash (click on image to view larger version)

 

(Dad...) Ash, it was so cool to receive a hand-written Poem like this and that you were able to express yourself through it for Steven.


 

Postgate School... (click on images to view larger version)

 

...was represented by two staff who had taught Steven & his sisters, Dave Brown and Clare Smith, remembered in the following tribute

 

We are blessed that Steven and his sisters were so well remembered by the School and very much appreciate their presence.  They all enjoyed their time there and special memories are held for each of them.


 

Gen-i,

 

And finally, Steven's former boss at Gen-i (Andrew Eckersley) did not speak at the service but Gen-i were represented by Janine Ramakers who spoke of her memories of Steven.

Andrew sent Joanne and I his own reflections on Steven. Andrew had only known Steven a relatively short time which makes his personal reflections even more special as it shows how quickly people would warm to him and the fantastic first-impression Steven was known to make.  It was only a few weeks before he passed away that he had been promoted to his new role in Field Service from the Gen-i Help Desk.

* And just to clarify where it might be confusing - the 'Steve' Andrew refers to here is young 'Steven', the 'Steven' he addresses is Dad (Stephen), I'm not sure Joanne will ever forgive me for choosing the same name, even with different spelling. Steven was often known as 'Steve' and/or Cookee, just like his Dad.

 


Thanks for reading these, I hope for those who did not know Steven it has given you an idea of the type of guy he was.

Those of us who did know him were the better for it.

** Simply close this window to return to the memorial page