Neil BURNETT Obituary

Neil had a lovely farewell. Such a great teacher, work colleague and friend. Our sincere sympathy to Neil´s family.

Such a wonderful teacher at Hawera High School, great memories of our Geography trip in 1971.
I thanked him for taking us at the 2019 School Reunion, he said Dale was very concerned but he told her we were good kids.
Rest in peace Neil.

Barn will always be in my heart as my big brother.

Mr Burnett was never any different no matter where he was. Later on I enjoyed seeing him and his 4 legged friend out walking. Will miss that. To the families please expect our families condolences. I had to attend the livestream as I´ve got COVID.
Judy Kemsley (née Meredith)

What a wonderful tribute today for a great man.
So neat to see the photo of our 5th Form Geography trip in `71 - how privileged we were to have a teacher prepared to put in the time & effort to make that happen.
He will have shaped many lives during his time in Hawera.
RIP Neil

Our condolences to all of Neil's family. A great teacher and really neat guy. RIP

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Our thoughts are with you all, sending our condolences and sympathy in this time of loss. Lesley, Tim and Chris Pick and family.

Neil made a fine input into Hawera High School over a long period.
He was an excellent member of the school´s leadership team. I enjoyed working with him and respected his opinions.
Neil had qualities that engendered trust in others. He was a good man.
My sincere condolences to Sally, Megan and Blair and their families. They will be secure in his love and support for them all.
Rob Hurley

Neil was a great mentor and friend. He taught me at school and we had lovely chats about fishing in my high school days. Later in life, we worked together as teachers. Neil had huge manna, he commanded respect and it is an absolute loss to our community with his passing. Condolences to your family.

Mr. Burnett, he was the best school teacher I ever had. Sincere condolences to all of his family. Robert, 5P2 1968

To Blair, Megan, Sally and families, thinking of you all at this sad time. The tributes to your dad have said it all and are an indication of the impact he made on people's lives. Hold on to the memories of the wonderful man he was. RIP Barn.

To the Burnett Family sorry to hear of Neils passing one off the true top Blokes thinking of you all at this time Don and Margaret Oakes

The very first time we met Neil, he awed us with his welcome, easy charm, pleasant disposition, respect (mutually shared) ... Despite his cool, obvious look of authority, he was a people´s man whose centre of the world, and he was a man of the world, was his family. Nonetheless he treated the students and the public alike as his wider family and his wife would enthusiastically do so too. In addition to being my Senior Master at Hawera High School, he was my skip in social lawn bowls, doubling up as an umpire if needed. The stories he initiated then and every time there was occasion over the beers and the bites still echo in my mind. And his oratory too. My children, his students, remember him well.
My family and I wish to express our condolences to his on this sad occasion.
He was a great man.
Rest in peace, Neil.

To the Burnett Family My Condolences to All. Neil was a great teacher and A true gentleman. one of the old Egmont Street Great's.. Rip

Really sad to hear this. I always remember trying to decipher Neil's teaching notes before teaching Geography.

Great memories of learning, passed on to me and many others, who were lucky enough to be in one of Neil's classes. An inspiring teacher and a gentleman who made his mark at Hawera High School. Best wishes to Neil's family.

Our deepest condolences go out to Neil and Dale's families (Blair,Megan, Sally and Co)
Oh how the years fly by when we recall those great Get Togethers in Palmy. Sadly only a few of us left now...Contact has lessened as we have all aged and become unwell...We remember Neil as a "Fine Bloke", someone who was always caring and keen to catch up on all the family news and activities down here in "The Bay"
Neil was a very proud man and could not have loved his family more.
Go in peace Neil to meet your God and loved ones

Blair Robyn and Burnett family Sincere condolences for your loss Always had a chat with Neil at Southern

Neil had a very decorated life, full of achievements and fun. It was also a busy life, with work always embraced. What a stellar time he had as a rugby referee - 15 First Class games, including six in the NPC First Division. At bowls, he was a genuine Nolantown stalwart, deserving of his Life Membership. Yet he never lost sight of the ultimate king being the game itself. He moved with the times when the times necessitated merging. Neil also served on the Taranaki Centre Executive 1989-93 in an able and willing way. And what a delight it was, after a number of near misses, to secure a Taranaki title in the 2016 champion-of-champions fours.

To the Burnett family deepest sympathy to all in your sad loss of Neil. One of life's real gentleman, it was a pleasure to know you, always ready for a chat whenever we ran into each other. A life well lived

To Blair, Megan, Sally and families, condolences on Barns passing. Very special memories of our association through HHS, Hawera Old Boys Cricket and the
personal friendships we as families had built over the years. The Friday night drinks to Saturday madness, times that hopefully will never be forgotten. A life well lived.

Condolences to all the family. 44 years on (from 1981) I still remember Neil's 6th Form Geography classes -- he was a great teacher, and one of those who you just respected. His classes and those of Mr Young (earlier years) are certainly what led me to doing degrees in both Geology and Physical Geography. One of those teachers who has an immense influence in your life, even though you may not realise it at the time.

Blair. Megan , Sally and families.
My sincere thoughts are with you all at this sad time. Barn was "a legend in his own time". My teacher, mentor, colleague, and a friend through all of those years at Hawera High School -one of life's gentlemen who will be sorely missed. Barn, your job is done. RIP.

To Blair, Megan and Sally, please accept my deepest sympathy with the passing of your Dad. My thoughts are with you all at this very sad time.

Deepest condolences to Blair, Megan, Sally and all of the Burnett family. so sorry for your lost, your dad was a true gentleman, he will be sadly missed. RIL Neil xx
Sidrick & Tania Katene
Sydney

To Burnett Family our thoughts are with you all at this sad time in the passing of Neil your Dad we have fond memories of him while we were in Hawera playing Rugby for the Hawera Club also Refereeing RIP Neil
Bernie and Brenda Brady
Palmerston North

Through the sixties and seventies at HHS these three teachers and Colin Hagan and myself taught History, Geography, Social Studies and undertook a great variety of Sports Coaching.
Neil is in the centre of this group.
His teaching and coaching assisted a significant number of students in South Taranaki and he was a kind, approachable and loyal friend.
We have great recollectiions of the times after work, the associated kids and the fantastic relaxation sessions. What more could anyone else want?

Sorry to hear off your loss what an amazing father and grandfather. Sorry we can't be with you at this sad time.

To Blair, Megan, Sally, So sorry to hear of your Dads passing, a great teacher and leader HHS Days, Please accept our condolences. Kind Regards Shane & Cindy Schuler.

Our sincerest condolences Burnett family. Thinking of all . Neil was such a great teacher, gentleman and example to all. Shane and Annette Rowe

To the Burnett family, please accept my deepest heartfelt condolences. Neil was a top bloke and great teacher. Many happy memories of him and your family. I hope that you give him a well-deserved send-off.

Was sad to hear of Barns passing, condolences to Megan, Blair & Sally. thinking of you at this time. Growing up was fun hanging out at the farm with the pigs. A lot of good memories..

sorry to hear that you Burnie (who I called him)/Barn have left our world. You are a lovely soul and right real gentleman. I feel very privileged to have met you in my time working with you all at HHS. Condolences to all family and friends. A great loss to many, Barn you have earnt your angel wings, fly dear friend to peace. Knowing he will be watching over those he loved and cared for is both heart warming and comforting. I knew Neil when I worked as the Librarian at Hawera High School over the 10 years I was there 2004 -2014. He was always a gentleman with a cheeky side. We had many talks over a wide variety of topics and always ended up laughing even through the serious topics. Neil would always put a twist to the ending. A great storyteller through and through. You will be greatly missed Barn.

Sincere condolences to all of Neils family. He was an awesome man and it was a privilege to have known him. I will miss our chats at cricket Neil. Fond regards Malcolm and Jenny Greenhill

Very sad to hear of Barns passing.
He always had time for a chat.
Our Condolences to you all.
Rest in peace Barns
John and Chris

My condolences to all of Neil's family. Neil knew about positive relationships with students well before this concept was taught in teacher professional development. To him it was effortless. He was a great guy to work with and a much loved and appreciated staff member of Hawera High School for many years. Rest in peace Neil.

Sincere sympathy to Neil´s family on his passing.
I have very fond memories of Neil when working in Hawera High School in 1999/2000 as a relief teacher from Ireland. Neil was such a kind gentleman. May he rest in peace.

Burnett family so sad to hear of barns passing but he is with dale again.like messrs glass and hamer I also recall that 1971 class trip to hawkes bay and the fun we had raising funds for it but mostly the pride barn had in showing us all where he came from.somehow during my high school years I had barn as a teacher or in his form class every year and enjoyed his teaching style. He was also basketball coach for 4 years and put much into that given practices were early mornings before school and often in the dark hours.in later life it was always nice to run into him and catch up.
A man who will be missed and who made a significant contribution to many hawera kids thru his teaching and coaching

Many prayers and condolences to you,

So sorry to read of Nell's passing, such a really nice guy. Hold on to those memories.
Thinking of you all.

I am very sad.....what a great man...judy

Blair and family my condolences to you all. Your father was a top bloke.

To Blair, Megan and Sally,
Sorry to hear of Dad's passing on Friday, He left you all with wonderful memories and his pass students also have their memories. Please accept my condolences at this time. From Brian Harris formerly of Hawera, now Katikati.

I feel privileged to have known Barnie first as a teacher, then friend and colleague for more than fifty years. He was one of life´s fine gentlemen and will be sadly missed by all who have known him. Sad to say it took me most of that fifty years to learn to read his handwriting as it was the stuff of legends. I´m disappointed not to be able to share many of those fond memories with you at his service as we are currently overseas. Love to you all.

Blair Rob and family. Our sincere condolences. Neil was a great man with extraordinary skills within the teaching profession. We held him right up there and enjoyed catching up with him for a chat. Our love ro all at this sad time.
Mike and Kay Legge.

Condolences to Blair, Megan, and Sally. Neil was the best teacher I had at high school. The look on his face when I came back after getting my Science degree is something I never forget and his support while I undertook it. A legend no one will ever forget. RIP Neil. We will never forget how you touched each and everyone of our hearts.
Thinking of you all at this sad time

Condolences to the family. A great man and teacher. No wonder I did well in School Cert Geography. Share same thoughts as Rob Glass regarding our form class, our trip and the huge bottle drive to raise funds before we left. Great memories of Neil. May he rest in peace knowing that he made a difference.

1971 Fifth Form Trip

Condolences to Blair, Megan, Sally and families. Barn was a top man, he will be missed I am sure.

A gentle man in every way and a respected friend. Hey Barn....you'll be missed.

My condolences to the family, he was such a lovely and caring man who will be missed by many.
Now reunited with Dale

To Blair and Robyn and the Burnett Family our Deepest Sympathy on the loss
Neil
Danny & Margaret & Mark Mullan

Blair, Megan and Sally. Neil was a great teacher and was a key part in what made Hawera High School so special during his epic stint there. He was a great friend, and a great customer. Guess in summary what I am saying he was great! Condolences to all.

To Sally, Megan, Blair and the Burnett family- sorry to learn of Neil´s passing. May he rest in peace.

RIP Barnes. Will miss our morning teas and chinwags at the bowling club.

My condolences to the family, Neil was a great form and geography teacher at HHS, fondly remember his tremendous efforts on a field trip to Hawkes Bay and Taupo in 1971.

So very sorry to hear of neils passing a real gentman hard in the school days but who wasnt when i at school early 75 in charge of east block very sad news of has pasting always spoke to me . RossRiddick Palmerston North

A wonderful teacher who really cared and took the time to get to know you.
Deepest condolences to his loved ones.

Sad to hear. One of those teachers that genuinely made a difference. Fortunate to have known him beyond the Classroom through family connections. Great guy. Arohanui whanau.

Rest in Love Mr Burnett.
Loved having you as a teacher and then a neighbour in later years.
Lots of fond memories.
Condolences from my father Ian Budd too.

Sorry to hear of 'Mr Burnett's' passing. Although he said call me Neil so many times, I just couldn't bring myself to.

Such a lovely man who I respected so much, he always had time for a chat at the rugby club rooms or at the bowling green.

A fond friend of the late MacDee and Fran as well.

Rest easy x

Great memories of Neil as my teacher
Condolences to the family and to the whole High School fraternity

Deepest sympathies Blair, Megan and Sally. So sorry to hear of Neil´s passing. I have many memories from the High School, and before that, both he and Dale regularly socialising with my Mum and Dad - Brian and Shirley - and others around at our house on South Road. You kids sometimes came around too if it was for a BBQ by the pool. He shared a passion for rugby and, like Dad, got involved in refereeing. He was a lovely man.

Sending our sincere condolences to all Neil´s family at this sad time.
Neil was a well respected and much liked teacher at HHS. He was Eric´s mentor when he first started teaching at HHS in 1980 and his advice was invaluable.

Kind regards
Eric & Elise

So sorry to hear of Neil´s passing. Another cousin gone. Deepest sympathy to you all and Bryan. Rest in Peace Neil .

Megan,Pete and Family. Sorry to hear of Neil's passing, he was certainly life's true gentleman. Our thoughts are with you all xx

Condolences to all the Burnett family's, thinking of you all at this sad time, Shayne & Donna Hunt

Love and Condolences to the Burnett family. One of my favourite form teachers at Hawera High. Very sad to hear of his passing.

To the Burnett Family
It is sadness we hear of Neil's Passing. A very well respected man & teacher.
Thinking of you all.
Sorry we are unable to attend the service.
Jen & Graham Beare
Tairua

Fond memories of a great Teacher HHS 1966-1970

To the Burnett family. Barn was Such a wonderful gentleman. I can remember the first time Neil was sworn at as a teacher, he was absolutely mortified. Lots of memories and laughter with both Barn and Dale. My thoughts and love are with you all on this sad day. Barn will be missed dearly

Blair,Megan and Sally. Thinking of you and your families with love at this sad time. Neil was the most amazing person who always had time for everyone. Treasure the memories

Condolences to the Burnett whanau. You have gained your special wings Neil. Fly to the highest. Arohamai.

A wonderful inspiring teacher always enjoyed the classes he took . Condolences to his family and friends . Lizzy