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Garry SMITH Obituary
Passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, in Nelson, on Saturday, 13 December 2025, aged 84. Dearly loved soulmate and loving husband of Jenny. Loving father and father-in-law of Paul, Glenn and Teena, Cindy, Jacqui & Simon, and Sam; best mate of Patches; loving grandfather of Caari, Ben, Ella, Petra, Max, Jake, and Luca; loving eldest son of the late Max & Patricia Smith; loved son-in-law of Chung Chee & Ching Ngor Yung (both deceased); loved big brother and brother-in-law of Pat & Bob Rodrigue (both deceased), Pammy & Lew Richards (deceased), Lynne & Kevin Amos, and John & Pauline; loved brother-in-law of Peter & Frances Yung, Rose & Peter Ngan, Garry & Rosie Yung, Daisy & Ivan Young, Nancy & Johnny Young, and Anthony (deceased) & Angela Yung; friend of Jan, and a dearly loved family member. Thank you to all the staff at Tasman Park for the care and love given to Garry. Messages to the Smith family, 5 Squire Way, Richmond, 7020. Flowers respectfully declined. Donations to Alzheimers Society Nelson Tasman would be appreciated. A Celebration of Garry's life will be held in 2026 on the West Coast.
Respectfully cared for by Shone and Shirley Funeral Directors. F.D.A.N.Z.
Memories and Condolences
for Garry SMITH
9 Entries
Bill
January 11, 2026
To Garry's Family. Deepest sympathy in the loss of of a great man. Played In the Greymouth Marist School 1st XV with him.
Craig Goodman
December 20, 2025
My son Tom and I have happy memories of watching Warriors matches with Garry at his home. Very astute league observer. Our thoughts with Jenny and Sam ...kind hosts.
Paul Campbell ONZM
December 19, 2025
Garry was a true visionary bringing innovative law enforcement practices and opportunities to NZ Customs while caring deeply for all "his investigators"
Many of us both still serving in Customs and now retired owe much to him as he saw future law enforcement challenges and solutions long before others and selected personal from his national team to develop capabilities to combat the threat.
Condolences to Jenny and the family, rest in peace Garry you made a great contribution to New Zealand on and off the field.
Sherrin Sundgren
December 18, 2025
I was so sad to hear of Gary´s passing. I remember well the good times Paul and I shared with him and all the league players on the Kapiti Coast in the 70s. A great coach a great man. My sincere condolences to all the family
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Philip Chitty
December 18, 2025
To Jenny and all the family. Sincere condolences. I have fond memories of working with Garry over many years on Customs enforcement matters. Garry was a legend in his Customs career as well as on the sports field. Regards, Phil Chitty.
john westwood
December 18, 2025
Our condolence to Garys family from John and Peter Westwood, we had the pleasure of growing up in Runanga and attending school and playing sport with him, may he rest in peace.
Simon Williamson MNZM
December 18, 2025
In the 1990s Garry was my respected boss at New Zealand Customs, as National Head of Customs Investigation Units. He was a visionary and had an wide international law enforcement network of contacts. He was also a friend and I remember him in the mid-nineties visiting me my overseas post in Sydney, which he had appointed me to. We had a great day on Melbourne Cup day, with a fellow law enforcement liaison officer from New Zealand (Police);- Larry Reid. I also, at his assistance, took him to the North Sydney leagues Club. There I saw his photo on the wall, as one of that Club's revered former professional players. He obviously wanted to reminisce.
Please accept my condolences on behalf of all our Garry's former colleagues in the New Zealand Customs Service. He will be remembered as a pioneer leader in many ways to the success of Customs drug and other investigation prowess that we witness today.
Simon Williamson MNZM
New Zealand Customs Service (Retired)
Ray Smiles
December 17, 2025
It is very sad to hear of the passing of Gary.
He was great man, husband, father.
From a Aussie that played with Gary in Wellington 1971-72
R. Smiles
Bruce Castle
December 17, 2025
Great memories Garry Bruce Castle
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results