MOMENT SHARED: Fay and Clive Patterson enjoying the laughter and love of friends.
MOMENT SHARED: Fay and Clive Patterson enjoying the laughter and love of friends.
A quote from Anglo/French writer, historian and politician Hilaire Belloc summed up Clive Patterson's philosophy nicely when the long-time Kaitaia solicitor was farewelled into retirement (of a kind) last week:
'There's nothing worth the wear of winning but laughter and the love of friends.'
Plenty of both was in evidence at the Beachcomber restaurant on Friday night. And a great deal of praise for a man held in high esteem, not least for the manner in which he conducted his professional life.
SALUT! Whatever Wayne Cribb was toasting it had obvious appeal for fellow lawyer Bryce Quarrie.
His son (and now partner) Mark Patterson said he could not have had a better mentor than his father, who had instilled in him the traits that were vital "in this line of work," including dedication, loyalty to clients, and "a bit of knowledge of the law."
Without integrity, honesty and character, qualities that were also remarked upon by others, a lawyer was nothing, he added.
Jan McLean, who worked for Mr Patterson for 35 years, described him as an outstanding, generous boss, leader, mentor and friend, qualities attested by the loyalty of his staff throughout his time in Kaitaia (beginning in 1965), a man for whom there were no grey areas.
Chris Lord, who was a partner in Patterson and Lord from 1982 to 1986, reappeared in Kaitaia (sans moustache) to pay his tribute to the man who he said had done much to make their time in Kaitaia some of the best years of his and his wife Annabelle's lives.
FOND MEMORIES: Chris Lord, who lost his moustache somewhere over the last 19 years, and who wasn't put off by the drive to Kaitaia in 1978.
His wife, he recalled, had begun to doubt the wisdom of moving to Kaitaia as they drove through Moerewa in 1978, but the Far North had been a magic part of their lives, and much of the credit for that went to Mr Patterson.
Another lawyer, Robin Fountain, suggested that there were two reasons for a lawyer to retire. One, illustrated with an unlikely yarn told by English actor Roy Dotrice, boiled down to the excitement all becoming too much, the other that it gave the retiree the opportunity of a funeral rehearsal, so he could hear what others thought of him.
Mr Patterson had been a formidable adversary in court, indeed formidable in every aspect of his professional life, a man who set very high standards and contributed a great deal to his community.
He had had the good fortune in later years to work with his son, who was setting the same standards observed by his father, and was leaving a practice with a great future.
"You have been a friend to look up to for 50 years," Mr Fountain added.
"I am very proud to have known you and to have had your friendship."
Mr Patterson, born in Dunedin, began his career in Wellington, but life in Kaitaia had been the highlight. He had made friends there, he said, met his "lovely wife" Fay (nee Crene), and had become the father of four "indescribable" children. And if he had made a favourable impression in others, the admiration was mutual.
"It has been a privilege to be involved with all who I have been associated with over the years, he added, concluding with the words of Hilaire Belloc.
Mr Patterson will not be lost to the Far North's legal fraternity entirely, however. His wife confided that she had hopes of seeing his golf handicap reduce, but last week's function, billed as a farewell, actually marked his transition from full-time work to a consultancy role within Patterson Law.
