Tobin is suspected to have suffered a medical event before the crash on the corner of Mt Eden and Bellevue Roads.
His car collided with a double-decker bus.
A Givealittle page has been set up to raise money for his devastated wife Olivia and their children. At the time of writing it had raised over $18,000.
The page says Tobin, known as Tuffa, was just minutes away from his Mt Eden home when the crash happened.
"Chris was so full of life, he had one of the biggest grins and a heart full of so much love to all those around him," the page reads.
"He was a devoted family man."
Tobin had three children with Olivia and two older sons from a previous relationship.
"This Givealittle page is one way we can somehow help this beautiful young family get through this terribly tough time and to show them our support.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to you and the kids, Olivia.
"We all love you dearly."
One friend posted to Facebook that the tragedy had reminded him what was important.
"Say the nice things to each other, not tomorrow, not next week. Now!
"Share the love. Tell people they are beautiful. Never be afraid to be kind. Forgive easily. Hug... a lot! Because right around the corner we are dead. Just like that. Gone."
About half a dozen passengers were on the bus when it crashed. Two suffered minor and moderate injuries and were taken to Auckland Hospital.
Auckland Tramways Union president Gary Froggatt told the Herald the bus driver, who is married with children and lives in Mangere, had suffered the sort of trauma that would live with him forever.
Bus driver and First Union spokesman Phil Morgan said the driver was a "responsible bloke" who would be hurt by what happened.
"Obviously the driver will be very, very upset.
"This sort of thing is very traumatic. We're on the road all week they come out of the blue and affect us [bus drivers] as they would anyone else."
The crash was only a matter of time as congested Auckland roads created a recipe for disaster, Morgan said.
"We're dealing with gridlock traffic virtually every day of the week. We see a lot of near misses," he said.
Camera footage from the bus had been retrieved by NZ Bus, Froggatt said.
