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22 October 1958 – 17 August 2022
The Warkworth Fire Brigade siren sounded at midday on August 24 for Gavin Noyer’s last callout.
At an emotional service held at the fire station, family, friends, Northpower colleagues and fellow fire officers painted a picture of a man with a cheeky sense of humour, who was a devoted husband to Aveen, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
The fourth child of Joe and Noelene Noyer, who owned the bakery that once operated alongside the Bridgehouse, Noyer grew-up in a flat above the shop. It was here, as the youngest of the brood, that he got the nickname Crumb that stuck with him for life.
His schooling was difficult due to undiagnosed dyslexia, but he found his place in cubs and scouts, eventually winning the highest scouting achievement, the Queen’s Scout Award. His parents were said to have been enormously proud of him when he received the award at a ceremony at Government House.
Not surprisingly, Noyer left school as soon as he could at 15. He started his working life at Warkworth Building Supplies, but then, with the help of Wayne Carter, applied for a job with the Waitemata District Power Board. Becoming a linesman was his dream job, one that he loved for the 42 years he did it, first with Waitemata and then for 20 years with Northpower.
Northpower chief executive Andrew McLeod described Noyer as a huge part of the company’s operation in Warkworth. “He was a man who was generous with his time, who carried an immense amount of experience and never left until the job was done. He was also particularly generous when it came to training new recruits,” McLeod said. “I’m told he had four loves – family, the fire service, Northpower and KFC.
“His banter and sense of fun made him a much-loved member of the team who will be greatly missed.
He was also the star of our annual Northpower fishing competition in the “other” category, winning the trophy over the years for an eel, a stingray and even a starfish.”
Members of the Warkworth Fire Brigade stood with their chief, Nick McLean, when he described Noyer as a humble man with a contagious laugh who was both respected and loved by his fellow firefighters.
During his 42 years with the service, he attended 4685 callouts and had an 87% turnout at training musters. He served with his father, a brother and more recently, with his daughter Samantha, and was at one time the Senior Station Officer for fire police (now operational support).
Noyer’s coffin, bearing both his fire service helmet and his Northpower helmet, arrived at the funeral on a Northpower truck. At the conclusion of the service, it was loaded onto the back of a waiting heritage fire truck. As a mark of respect for a man who had always called Warkworth home, and who had also been the town’s go-to Santa Claus on more occasions than anyone could remember, the truck did a lap of honour around the Warkworth town centre.
Noyer died of cancer at his home in Warkworth. He is survived by wife Aveen, children Jess, Kelvin, Candy, Sam, Kate and Michael, and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
