October 27, 2022
October 27, 2022
Two years has gone fast but you are never far from the thoughts of those who loved you.
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Tim Hefford 56 years old, born on July 13, 1964 and passed away on October 26, 2020 at 7.42am. He was a loving husband to Ruth, father to Samantha and Joanne, Grandpa to Caleb, Levi and Duncan, Son to Beryl and the late Richard, brother to Tony and uncle to Arron. He was a builder for all of his career and a volunteer rural fire fighter for 38 years. He was a hard working, caring and calm man with a cheeky signature smile. He will be greatly missed and we will remember him forever.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
July 13, 2022
July 13, 2022
Missing you on your birthday.
You were very kind and thoughtful, with a warm and loving heart,
And when other people needed help, you always played your part.
You’re thought of every single day, whatever time of year,
But somehow more than ever, now your special day is here.
No present can be given, and that’s really very hard,
But there’s a world of love inside this special little card.
Each memory is shining bright, and treasured dearly too,
But the memories can’t take the place of someone dear, like you.
Missing you very much Tim every day.
You were very kind and thoughtful, with a warm and loving heart,
And when other people needed help, you always played your part.
You’re thought of every single day, whatever time of year,
But somehow more than ever, now your special day is here.
No present can be given, and that’s really very hard,
But there’s a world of love inside this special little card.
Each memory is shining bright, and treasured dearly too,
But the memories can’t take the place of someone dear, like you.
Missing you very much Tim every day.
December 10, 2020
December 10, 2020
My husband was such a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, son, brother, friend and colleague. He was not only my husband but was my soulmate and best friend. He was my rock that kept me grounded. He was a hardworking man, both at work and at home. He was a very gentle, calm and caring natured person that made friends in a lot of places.
We first met when he was dating my best friend at school. We immediately connected and say no more - we ended up together. 3 weeks after our first date, Tim proposed to me and I accepted. Before we were married we had a wonderful 2.4 year engagement, in which over this time we saved madly to buy our own house but still managed to have a lot of fun. We bought our first house a few months before we were married.
When Tim was 23, and I was 18, on 1 August 1987 we were married at St James Church in Lower Hutt. We went on a honeymoon in Rotorua and took 2 visitors away with us that had come all the way over from England to be present at our wedding. We still had a great time away.
We would regularly go out with friends 4 wheel driving, often getting stuck and requiring mates to rescue us. He loved his motorbikes so much, that whenever we were going on a date, I often would get the dress code wrong as I would dress for being picked up in a car but he would arrive on his bike, which meant a sudden change in clothes.
We did several trips around New Zealand on the motorbike with me being the pillion passenger on the back. Tim had a backpack holder on the back of the motorbike, which he would put a piece of foam against so that I could lean back on it and relax. Often I would fall asleep in the upright position whilst we were cruising along. Tim being the joker that he was, he would often duck down whilst going over a bump in the road and would startle me awake with the wind suddenly in my face. At the same time I felt I was going upwards in my seat.
On 25 November 1988 we had our first baby girl, Samantha Rose. Tim was a great hands on father from the first day that she was born and a very proud dad. On 12 October 1990 we welcomed our second baby girl, Joanne Elizabeth into our family. He was such a proud dad and loved his two girls dearly. Tim was very interactive with his daughters and even let them play with train sets and cars, this was because he also wanted to play with them. Such a big kid at heart.
Over the years the girls had grown and gone their own way with Sam moving to Darwin when she was 18. Jo stayed home a lot longer but Tim was happy to have her around. We started travelling to Australia, visiting Sam where ever she went. She ended up married to Marty Eagle who was in the Australian Army and so they moved wherever the army sent them.
Sam and Marty had two grandchildren for Tim, and he insisted on being called Grandpa as he loved the movie ‘Bad Grandpa’. Tim loved playing with Caleb and Levi and really enjoyed all the time that he got to spend with them. He was pretty mad about COVID, as this meant he could not go and see them in Australia anytime soon.
He loved to travel around Australia and made sure he knew where he could go prospecting for gold whenever we went. Tim and I did a tour in a campervan from Darwin to Uluru and the top of Queensland all the way down to Brisbane over 6 weeks. He said this was the best holiday that he had ever had and wanted to return to areas that we loved, as he felt we did not have enough time at these places.
We had lots of plans to go back to Australia and he had dreams of prospecting for gold and opal and even watched all the TV programs on prospecting.
Jo and Elliott ended up moving home with us when they were expecting a baby. Duncan was born in February, and Tim was lucky enough to see him grow into the 9 month baby that he is today. On the day that Tim had his heart attack we had a very nice conversation where he said that… “He loved the time that he had with Duncan, and would not change the circumstances that had led to Duncan living with him for anything in the world”.
Tim, darling…
You were a very hard working man that was looking forward to finishing the house, so that we could spend our weekends playing with the grandkids and travelling. You had such grand plans for your retirement years in the future, which I will dearly miss to be able to complete with you.
You were a very cheeky husband and friend too many, with a signature grin that most people know you by. You were always smiling and happy. You would try most things that you were dared to do including embarrassing your daughters at the occasional BBQ.
At the moment I am very lost without you. Sam and Jo want to help me to continue your legacy, by doing some of the things that you were looking forward to doing. They want to make new memories on your behalf and know that you are looking over us wherever you are. You will be in our hearts and memories forever.
We first met when he was dating my best friend at school. We immediately connected and say no more - we ended up together. 3 weeks after our first date, Tim proposed to me and I accepted. Before we were married we had a wonderful 2.4 year engagement, in which over this time we saved madly to buy our own house but still managed to have a lot of fun. We bought our first house a few months before we were married.
When Tim was 23, and I was 18, on 1 August 1987 we were married at St James Church in Lower Hutt. We went on a honeymoon in Rotorua and took 2 visitors away with us that had come all the way over from England to be present at our wedding. We still had a great time away.
We would regularly go out with friends 4 wheel driving, often getting stuck and requiring mates to rescue us. He loved his motorbikes so much, that whenever we were going on a date, I often would get the dress code wrong as I would dress for being picked up in a car but he would arrive on his bike, which meant a sudden change in clothes.
We did several trips around New Zealand on the motorbike with me being the pillion passenger on the back. Tim had a backpack holder on the back of the motorbike, which he would put a piece of foam against so that I could lean back on it and relax. Often I would fall asleep in the upright position whilst we were cruising along. Tim being the joker that he was, he would often duck down whilst going over a bump in the road and would startle me awake with the wind suddenly in my face. At the same time I felt I was going upwards in my seat.
On 25 November 1988 we had our first baby girl, Samantha Rose. Tim was a great hands on father from the first day that she was born and a very proud dad. On 12 October 1990 we welcomed our second baby girl, Joanne Elizabeth into our family. He was such a proud dad and loved his two girls dearly. Tim was very interactive with his daughters and even let them play with train sets and cars, this was because he also wanted to play with them. Such a big kid at heart.
Over the years the girls had grown and gone their own way with Sam moving to Darwin when she was 18. Jo stayed home a lot longer but Tim was happy to have her around. We started travelling to Australia, visiting Sam where ever she went. She ended up married to Marty Eagle who was in the Australian Army and so they moved wherever the army sent them.
Sam and Marty had two grandchildren for Tim, and he insisted on being called Grandpa as he loved the movie ‘Bad Grandpa’. Tim loved playing with Caleb and Levi and really enjoyed all the time that he got to spend with them. He was pretty mad about COVID, as this meant he could not go and see them in Australia anytime soon.
He loved to travel around Australia and made sure he knew where he could go prospecting for gold whenever we went. Tim and I did a tour in a campervan from Darwin to Uluru and the top of Queensland all the way down to Brisbane over 6 weeks. He said this was the best holiday that he had ever had and wanted to return to areas that we loved, as he felt we did not have enough time at these places.
We had lots of plans to go back to Australia and he had dreams of prospecting for gold and opal and even watched all the TV programs on prospecting.
Jo and Elliott ended up moving home with us when they were expecting a baby. Duncan was born in February, and Tim was lucky enough to see him grow into the 9 month baby that he is today. On the day that Tim had his heart attack we had a very nice conversation where he said that… “He loved the time that he had with Duncan, and would not change the circumstances that had led to Duncan living with him for anything in the world”.
Tim, darling…
You were a very hard working man that was looking forward to finishing the house, so that we could spend our weekends playing with the grandkids and travelling. You had such grand plans for your retirement years in the future, which I will dearly miss to be able to complete with you.
You were a very cheeky husband and friend too many, with a signature grin that most people know you by. You were always smiling and happy. You would try most things that you were dared to do including embarrassing your daughters at the occasional BBQ.
At the moment I am very lost without you. Sam and Jo want to help me to continue your legacy, by doing some of the things that you were looking forward to doing. They want to make new memories on your behalf and know that you are looking over us wherever you are. You will be in our hearts and memories forever.
November 7, 2020
November 7, 2020
My sincere condolences go out to Ruth and family at this time.I only had the privilege to meet Tim on the odd occasion during my time at Hutt Valley Bushfire Force.What a dedicated and caring man.I am so sorry for your loss.
November 6, 2020
November 6, 2020
I worked briefly with Tim,what a great person,very humble and kind,he will be a great loss.
November 4, 2020
November 4, 2020
We have not had the chance to get to know Tim and Ruth that well but our connection is through their beautiful daughter Sam marrying our wonderful son Marty. Our memory of Tim will be of a kind, funny man who cherished his family and loved our shared grandsons Caleb and Levi. I am sorry the boys will not get to know Tim as they grow - I think he would have been the sort of “bad grandpa” to have made a difference in their life. Our thoughts and love to all of Tim’s family and friends - he will be missed.
October 28, 2020
October 28, 2020
Being Ruth's sister I have known Tim almost as long as Ruth. He was the perfect partner for Ruth, a fantastic father and grandfather, son and brother. He was also a friend and mentor to many. Everyone who knew Tim will miss him greatly but none more than his immediate family. I am wishing you all comfort from the memories you have of your lives together with Tim. Looking through the photos and comments on various media, you have made many. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. My love goes out to Ruth, Sam, Joanne and the grandchildren.
October 28, 2020
October 28, 2020
I was privileged to have Tim as my brother-in-law. We met most often by accident around Wainuiomata as we frequented the same places. I will miss those unanticipated encounters, and the cheeky grin that was always on Tim's face.
October 27, 2020
October 27, 2020
I had the privilege of working with Tim through out the years at Maycroft I grew from an apprentice to a qualified carpenter and Tim had taught me a lot of that I know to this day, you were a loving, chatty and funny guy. I always miss the trips into work when he would pick me up in the van. You will forever be missed but never forgotten.
October 27, 2020
October 27, 2020
I never had the privilege of meeting Tim personally, but I worked with Ruth for a while, and she always spoke of him with great fondness and affection.
I'm so sorry for your loss. As one who recently lost his mother I can only empathise.
Aroha nui kia koe, Ruth, me to Whanau.
I'm so sorry for your loss. As one who recently lost his mother I can only empathise.
Aroha nui kia koe, Ruth, me to Whanau.
October 26, 2020
October 26, 2020
You are my soulmate and love of my life. You were a gentle, calm and caring husband, father, grandpa, son and brother. You were my rock that kept me grounded and I do not know what I am going to do without you. I love you forever and will never forget you. I feel very lost without you already but know that you are in heaven with your dad and your cat Pumpkin. You are greatly missed.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
October 27, 2022
October 27, 2022
Two years has gone fast but you are never far from the thoughts of those who loved you.
July 13, 2022
July 13, 2022
Missing you on your birthday.
You were very kind and thoughtful, with a warm and loving heart,
And when other people needed help, you always played your part.
You’re thought of every single day, whatever time of year,
But somehow more than ever, now your special day is here.
No present can be given, and that’s really very hard,
But there’s a world of love inside this special little card.
Each memory is shining bright, and treasured dearly too,
But the memories can’t take the place of someone dear, like you.
Missing you very much Tim every day.
You were very kind and thoughtful, with a warm and loving heart,
And when other people needed help, you always played your part.
You’re thought of every single day, whatever time of year,
But somehow more than ever, now your special day is here.
No present can be given, and that’s really very hard,
But there’s a world of love inside this special little card.
Each memory is shining bright, and treasured dearly too,
But the memories can’t take the place of someone dear, like you.
Missing you very much Tim every day.
December 10, 2020
December 10, 2020
My husband was such a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, son, brother, friend and colleague. He was not only my husband but was my soulmate and best friend. He was my rock that kept me grounded. He was a hardworking man, both at work and at home. He was a very gentle, calm and caring natured person that made friends in a lot of places.
We first met when he was dating my best friend at school. We immediately connected and say no more - we ended up together. 3 weeks after our first date, Tim proposed to me and I accepted. Before we were married we had a wonderful 2.4 year engagement, in which over this time we saved madly to buy our own house but still managed to have a lot of fun. We bought our first house a few months before we were married.
When Tim was 23, and I was 18, on 1 August 1987 we were married at St James Church in Lower Hutt. We went on a honeymoon in Rotorua and took 2 visitors away with us that had come all the way over from England to be present at our wedding. We still had a great time away.
We would regularly go out with friends 4 wheel driving, often getting stuck and requiring mates to rescue us. He loved his motorbikes so much, that whenever we were going on a date, I often would get the dress code wrong as I would dress for being picked up in a car but he would arrive on his bike, which meant a sudden change in clothes.
We did several trips around New Zealand on the motorbike with me being the pillion passenger on the back. Tim had a backpack holder on the back of the motorbike, which he would put a piece of foam against so that I could lean back on it and relax. Often I would fall asleep in the upright position whilst we were cruising along. Tim being the joker that he was, he would often duck down whilst going over a bump in the road and would startle me awake with the wind suddenly in my face. At the same time I felt I was going upwards in my seat.
On 25 November 1988 we had our first baby girl, Samantha Rose. Tim was a great hands on father from the first day that she was born and a very proud dad. On 12 October 1990 we welcomed our second baby girl, Joanne Elizabeth into our family. He was such a proud dad and loved his two girls dearly. Tim was very interactive with his daughters and even let them play with train sets and cars, this was because he also wanted to play with them. Such a big kid at heart.
Over the years the girls had grown and gone their own way with Sam moving to Darwin when she was 18. Jo stayed home a lot longer but Tim was happy to have her around. We started travelling to Australia, visiting Sam where ever she went. She ended up married to Marty Eagle who was in the Australian Army and so they moved wherever the army sent them.
Sam and Marty had two grandchildren for Tim, and he insisted on being called Grandpa as he loved the movie ‘Bad Grandpa’. Tim loved playing with Caleb and Levi and really enjoyed all the time that he got to spend with them. He was pretty mad about COVID, as this meant he could not go and see them in Australia anytime soon.
He loved to travel around Australia and made sure he knew where he could go prospecting for gold whenever we went. Tim and I did a tour in a campervan from Darwin to Uluru and the top of Queensland all the way down to Brisbane over 6 weeks. He said this was the best holiday that he had ever had and wanted to return to areas that we loved, as he felt we did not have enough time at these places.
We had lots of plans to go back to Australia and he had dreams of prospecting for gold and opal and even watched all the TV programs on prospecting.
Jo and Elliott ended up moving home with us when they were expecting a baby. Duncan was born in February, and Tim was lucky enough to see him grow into the 9 month baby that he is today. On the day that Tim had his heart attack we had a very nice conversation where he said that… “He loved the time that he had with Duncan, and would not change the circumstances that had led to Duncan living with him for anything in the world”.
Tim, darling…
You were a very hard working man that was looking forward to finishing the house, so that we could spend our weekends playing with the grandkids and travelling. You had such grand plans for your retirement years in the future, which I will dearly miss to be able to complete with you.
You were a very cheeky husband and friend too many, with a signature grin that most people know you by. You were always smiling and happy. You would try most things that you were dared to do including embarrassing your daughters at the occasional BBQ.
At the moment I am very lost without you. Sam and Jo want to help me to continue your legacy, by doing some of the things that you were looking forward to doing. They want to make new memories on your behalf and know that you are looking over us wherever you are. You will be in our hearts and memories forever.
We first met when he was dating my best friend at school. We immediately connected and say no more - we ended up together. 3 weeks after our first date, Tim proposed to me and I accepted. Before we were married we had a wonderful 2.4 year engagement, in which over this time we saved madly to buy our own house but still managed to have a lot of fun. We bought our first house a few months before we were married.
When Tim was 23, and I was 18, on 1 August 1987 we were married at St James Church in Lower Hutt. We went on a honeymoon in Rotorua and took 2 visitors away with us that had come all the way over from England to be present at our wedding. We still had a great time away.
We would regularly go out with friends 4 wheel driving, often getting stuck and requiring mates to rescue us. He loved his motorbikes so much, that whenever we were going on a date, I often would get the dress code wrong as I would dress for being picked up in a car but he would arrive on his bike, which meant a sudden change in clothes.
We did several trips around New Zealand on the motorbike with me being the pillion passenger on the back. Tim had a backpack holder on the back of the motorbike, which he would put a piece of foam against so that I could lean back on it and relax. Often I would fall asleep in the upright position whilst we were cruising along. Tim being the joker that he was, he would often duck down whilst going over a bump in the road and would startle me awake with the wind suddenly in my face. At the same time I felt I was going upwards in my seat.
On 25 November 1988 we had our first baby girl, Samantha Rose. Tim was a great hands on father from the first day that she was born and a very proud dad. On 12 October 1990 we welcomed our second baby girl, Joanne Elizabeth into our family. He was such a proud dad and loved his two girls dearly. Tim was very interactive with his daughters and even let them play with train sets and cars, this was because he also wanted to play with them. Such a big kid at heart.
Over the years the girls had grown and gone their own way with Sam moving to Darwin when she was 18. Jo stayed home a lot longer but Tim was happy to have her around. We started travelling to Australia, visiting Sam where ever she went. She ended up married to Marty Eagle who was in the Australian Army and so they moved wherever the army sent them.
Sam and Marty had two grandchildren for Tim, and he insisted on being called Grandpa as he loved the movie ‘Bad Grandpa’. Tim loved playing with Caleb and Levi and really enjoyed all the time that he got to spend with them. He was pretty mad about COVID, as this meant he could not go and see them in Australia anytime soon.
He loved to travel around Australia and made sure he knew where he could go prospecting for gold whenever we went. Tim and I did a tour in a campervan from Darwin to Uluru and the top of Queensland all the way down to Brisbane over 6 weeks. He said this was the best holiday that he had ever had and wanted to return to areas that we loved, as he felt we did not have enough time at these places.
We had lots of plans to go back to Australia and he had dreams of prospecting for gold and opal and even watched all the TV programs on prospecting.
Jo and Elliott ended up moving home with us when they were expecting a baby. Duncan was born in February, and Tim was lucky enough to see him grow into the 9 month baby that he is today. On the day that Tim had his heart attack we had a very nice conversation where he said that… “He loved the time that he had with Duncan, and would not change the circumstances that had led to Duncan living with him for anything in the world”.
Tim, darling…
You were a very hard working man that was looking forward to finishing the house, so that we could spend our weekends playing with the grandkids and travelling. You had such grand plans for your retirement years in the future, which I will dearly miss to be able to complete with you.
You were a very cheeky husband and friend too many, with a signature grin that most people know you by. You were always smiling and happy. You would try most things that you were dared to do including embarrassing your daughters at the occasional BBQ.
At the moment I am very lost without you. Sam and Jo want to help me to continue your legacy, by doing some of the things that you were looking forward to doing. They want to make new memories on your behalf and know that you are looking over us wherever you are. You will be in our hearts and memories forever.
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Missing you on your 57th birthday
Recent stories
Levi's Birth
October 27, 2020
Please ignore my spelling and grammar ( I get it from my Dad)
When I went into labor with Levi, I was putting Caleb to bed and I thought it was just my irritable uterus playing up I almost went to bed but lucky I decided to go to the hospital just in case. I told Dad I was going to call an ambulance so we did not have to wake Caleb but he did not let me, we got poor Caleb out of bed.
I forgot my shoes. I didn’t take a nappy bag and on the way I had to tell dad directions while I was in labor and I was trying so hard to put on a brave face.
He dropped me off at the hospital and by the time he got home Levi was born. I was in labor 45 minutes. Lucky I went because Dad would have had to deliver Levi if I didn’t go. I think I would have never looked at Dad the same if he had to deliver Levi.
He also told me that I was barefoot and pregnant when I realised I forgot my shoes.
When I went into labor with Levi, I was putting Caleb to bed and I thought it was just my irritable uterus playing up I almost went to bed but lucky I decided to go to the hospital just in case. I told Dad I was going to call an ambulance so we did not have to wake Caleb but he did not let me, we got poor Caleb out of bed.
I forgot my shoes. I didn’t take a nappy bag and on the way I had to tell dad directions while I was in labor and I was trying so hard to put on a brave face.
He dropped me off at the hospital and by the time he got home Levi was born. I was in labor 45 minutes. Lucky I went because Dad would have had to deliver Levi if I didn’t go. I think I would have never looked at Dad the same if he had to deliver Levi.
He also told me that I was barefoot and pregnant when I realised I forgot my shoes.