Peter Cowan
15/05/2014
Jean and family -
I was privileged to attend Jeffrey's funeral and hear the wonderful comments regarding the remarkable person he was. Jean, while I did not want to impose myself on you at Jeffrey's funeral, I could not allow time to pass without acknowledging the wonderful person he was. The comments made by the family and many friends said it all. A wonderful caring, selfless man that considered others before himself. I worked with Jeffrey for some 10 years at Fairfax before leaving in 2002. I kept in contact with him through meeting him for coffee on a regular basis and went on the Pete Lamb fishing trip with him. I was hoping he would join our small group of golfers. While he was always interested in what I was up to, his main topic of conversation surrounded Jean and Olivia. In a lifetime there have not been many occasions when I have met a person of the calibre and integrity of Jeffrey. I have been truly privileged to have known him - my life was enriched thru Jeffrey.
My thoughts and prayers are with jean, Olivia and the family.
Peter Cowan
Paul & Michelle Missen
15/05/2014
Dear Jean and Olivia
We were so saddened to hear of Jeffrey's passing. He was a great guy and will always be remembered by us for the help he gave me doing my presentations for my university assignments and more recently it was always nice to catch up with him at the Wellington Round the Bays runs over the past few years - offering us a drink and giving the kids a sausage and bread and having a catch up after the run. Reading all these kind words and hearing the lovely words at his funeral, Jeffrey was a remarkable man and taken too soon. Jean and Olivia and family you are in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.
Paul and Michelle Missen (James and Olivia)
Mike O'Connor
14/05/2014
Jeff Chin was an inspirational man; a true gentleman and a scholar. He didn’t just wait for things to happen he made them happen.
He was an organiser, a motivator and a raconteur. He was determined, dedicated as well as generous; never having a bad word to say about anybody. He was Capability Brown, Machiavelli and Roger Federer all in one. In all the time we played tennis together never once did I see him cheat. He knew that in this life there were no free lunches. He was amazing at doubles and gracious with it. At change of ends he always waited for us to go first. He treated everyone equally.
I fondly remember the time when…After one of our famous tennis club bbqs at Day’s Bay – yes with strawberries and cream - , Jeff took the bbq home in his car. Inadvertantly the gas had been left on all night and he had driven to work the next day. He said he’d felt woosy for a few days. Lucky Jeff wasn’t a smoker.
On another occasion, while Jeff was driving me back to my car, someone swerved in front of us on Molesworth St, cutting him off. Handling his Mitsubishi GTO with aplomb, he instantly took evasive and avoided a crash. I didn’t even know a car could do that!!!
He loved life, whether it be skiing, being Mr.Tennis, photography, movie nights, dancing, dining or living it up in Melbourne at the Aussie Open. He listened attentively. He was always reading something and you name it he had a spreadsheet for it. He was also an ageless, extremely tidy, man of mystery.
Nothing was ever too much trouble for your Dad, Olivia and boy was he loyal. If we were going to war – I’d want Jeff on my side. He was imbued with a sense of fairness and of giving back to the community. He was a giver not a taker. He never showed his disappointment – never huffed and puffed. He made time for everyone.
Just a couple of weeks ago, we decided to enter an indoor tennis team into the business house competition. Jeff said that he was keen but that he might be a bit rusty but was willing to be a fill in. He was to have played next Monday night.
Jeff - you have indeed touched our lives. We will always be grateful to you Jeff for bringing us all together and bringing us so much joy. Thank you for all the good times.
Hopefully, our tennis club making Regional One went some way to repaying you for all your hard work. Jeff, we will never forget your smile or your wicked forehand. Fare well Jeff. Rest in peace. See you on the grass courts of heaven. You can serve first.
Our sincere condolences go to you Jean, Olivia and to Jeff’s siblings and wider family. Jean, whatever you or Olivia need, it’s yours.
Mike O’Connor
Andrew Howatson
14/05/2014
I met Jeff through the Saint Mary of the Angels Church in Wellington RCIA group many years ago.
I am very sad and moved to know of his passing.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jeff and the family.
God Bless
Andrew Howatson
Denise Greening
14/05/2014
Dear Rose & Family
So sad to hear of your sudden loss. My condolences to Rose and Jeff's family.
You are in our thoughts.
Denise & Girls
Marianne Bray
14/05/2014
I joined the Victoria University tennis club in the 1980s, and it was there that I met Jeff. I started playing tennis two or three times a week and Jeff was always there manning the fort. After some time we decided to grow the club, and so began a concerted effort to post flyers up, hold club nights, organise social events and play club tennis. We grew to have more than 100 members, and I learnt so much from that experience. Jeff was there every step of the way, cheerfully leading the way, always a smile on his face, and very patient. In all the years that we ran the club together I never heard him complain or say anything negative. He was a great friend and someone I could always count upon. I saw him when he passed through Hong Kong with Jean and Olivia, as well as when I visited New Zealand. I cannot believe that Jeff has passed and this is the saddest of times. But I can take solace in Jeff's happy-go-lucky attitude and smiling face.
My heart and thoughts go out to Jean, Olivia and all of Jeff's family.
Kia kaha...
Susanne Sinclair
13/05/2014
To Jeff's Family
I was saddened to read of Jeff's unexpected passing. Although I haven't seen Jeff for a number of years people's comments on his tribute page sound exactly like the Jeff I remember: someone who was devoted to his family, kind and generous to a fault, highly capable in so many different ways and always with a smile on his face.
Jeff - you will be missed by everyone whose hearts you touched. RIP.
Susanne
Craig Sengelow
13/05/2014
Dear Jean and Olivia
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Jeff was the most generous person I have known. One of the hard things about him leaving is that I will never get the chance to repay him and thank him for his generosity over the years. Nothing ever seemed to be a problem with Jeff. He was always organising tennis, golf or some event. Of course this quietened with marriage and Olivia, but nothing could dampen his generosity and his keeness.
On court he was a machine and I have spent a large amount of time playing against him over the years. In particular, playing him and Brent was always such a fantastic challenge because they were so attuned to each other, without either of them saying a word. Playing with him was also a real privilege because he hit the ball so hard you always felt you were on the attack. Even though he was a reserved person, my enduring image of Jeff is of his raised clenched fist of delight hitting a winner on university court 1.
There are a large number of us who are grateful for all the work he did to keep the University Tennis club going. He was University tennis for a long time and it was nice to have that acknowledged when we held the reunion at the Southern Cross recently.
He seemed to take to being a husband and dad like a duck to water. I can’t imagine what you are both going through at the moment but I know you will have a large amount of family and loved ones there for you.
You are in my/our thoughts
Craig (and Lisa, Finbar and Aurelia)
Richard Cory-Wright
13/05/2014
I was so saddened to hear this news.
Jeff was so generous with his time and full of life.
My condolences in this difficult time.
Regards Richard
Wilma Arawattigi
13/05/2014
Dear Jean and Olivia,
You may feel, "Jeff" your true love has left you outwardly, but he will never leave you inwardly. May the love of God, the peace of Holy Spirit, the sweet communion of knowing that you are a child of the King keep you through this period in life when it might appear as if death has won, but it's alive.
Love will last forever, for God is Love.
Fiona Wong
13/05/2014
Dear Jean and Olivia,
May the God of all comfort surround you and uplift you through this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love from Fiona, Neil and Chelsea Wong.
Ram Nair
12/05/2014
Dear Jean,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Jeff, our good friend and good neighbour.
May God give you the courage to bear this loss and the strength to continue the journey of life with little Olivia.
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
1 Corinthians 15:22
Ram & Usha Nair
Allison McPherson
11/05/2014
Dear Jean and Olivia,
Thinking of you so much at this sad time.
I will miss Jeff's ready smile and his kindness. Jeff - you never went anywhere empty handed and would not take anything in return. You were a special friend to our family and were willing to help us however you could, whether that was taking photos at our wedding, arriving with donuts and custard squares for morning tea, stringing tennis racquets and having amazing patience in teaching me the basics of skiing at Turoa. You leave so many special memories that I am forever grateful for.
Arohanui,
Allison.
www.tributes.co.nz/ViewMyTribute.aspx?id=9830
