DON STAFFORD: 1927 - 2010

Rotorua historian Don Stafford spent most of his life preserving the history of the city.
Now it will be up to someone to compile the history of his life and the impact he had on this city.
And whoever will get that job will have a headstart - he left a box full of notes about his life in the laundry of his home.
The 82-year-old died in Rotorua Hospital at 12.15pm yesterday surrounded by his family.
His daughter Jenny Barlow said her father had been in hospital for two weeks but had been unwell for three months.
Family members gathered at his Whakaue St home yesterday afternoon.
Mrs Barlow described her father as the "most wonderful non-judgmental, kind gentleman whose manners were impeccable".
"He still opened doors for people and took off his hat for females. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word."
Even though his work in preserving Rotorua was important to him, it was his family who came first, Mrs Barlow said.
His last words were about how much he loved his family - something he would often tell his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
On Saturday, her father also told her about a box of notes he had written about his life which were stashed away in his laundry. Mrs Barlow told The Daily Post she was yet to look through the box. Mrs Barlow said her father could have been thinking about writing an autobiography although he had never spoken of that to her.
She said her father was a very humble man who mixed with royalty and "regular" people the same.
"His great love was regular people," Mrs Barlow said.
Son Mac, who lived in Rotorua, said his father was an "unbelievably fantastic father, grandfather and great grandfather."
"My life with him is my fondest memory - my 58 years of absolute love from him . . . 58 years of absolute friendship, love, steerage, he steered me out of some tight spots over the years. We were always mates," Mr Stafford said.
Two grand-daughters spoke of how much they loved their grandfather. Emma Barlow said although her grandfather was well known and respected by many in Rotorua he was a "regular grandpa" to her. "He was just our grandpa," she said. Anna Stafford said she would always cherish the four hours she spent with her grandfather at his home last week while he was at home for a few days.
Don Stafford's body will be lying at his home from today and it was hoped his body would be taken to Tamatekapua Meeting House at Ohinemutu tomorrow when the public would be able to pay their respects before his funeral at 11am on Friday at St Faith's Church.
His late wife Nancy died just over 12 years. He is survived by his two children, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.