From John Guiney: My heart feels like it's been ripped out and even though we were apart geographically inn my later years of life he will always be my best mate....As you know he was best mate at my wedding and I was like wise at his. You could write a book about the fantastic times and experiences we had in New Zealand, (Wellington, Mount Maunganui, Gisbourne and skiing), Aussie, (living in Sydney, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast and of course our times in Perth), our 6 week Contiki tour around Europe, our ski holidays together in Kitzbuhel, Andorra and of course Trafoi, the Canaries, Portugal, Greece and of course Majorca and other places in Europe. So you see Jessie Uncle Joe lived life to the max and saw so many countries. His favourite movie was Big Wednesday the 70s classic. And if anything was larger than life he would say:" It's bigger than Ben Hur." You must come round when John gets back and I do hope we see you before that. When Thorno has a BBQ you will get an invite and hear more stories. Celebrate a Legendary Uncle who lived life to the MAX!

From Bruce Mctavish (Goose): Have only just found out that our Best Man Joe Healy (Walter) has tragically passed away. Myself & Tina are devastated - truly sad. A great mate, top bloke, one of the best who would give his time to all & touched the lives of all who met him. Our thoughts go out to Kirsty & the Boys. RIP Joe (True Legend) you have got that Big Surfboard in the sky mate. Memories go back to the early 80's & The Mount, Kenny & The Goose doing the walk along the beach & the Eastborne Boys perched up on the balcony of their apartment (looking like Miami Vice) with Joe & John's BIG smiles & wingman Andy (King Tide) surveying the scene - "They will be up @ The DB Mount tonight......." After that we all were mates for life, sharing laughs, parties in Wellington , Eastborne (NZ), Bali or London. Joe would always light up the room, pub or clubhouse with his ever present smile. Kenny MacDonald, Mark Hudson (Huddy) & Bruce McTavish (The Goose) - will be @ The Ship on the Thames in Hammersmith Thurs PM ( Funeral Fri NZ ) to share our memories and give Joe a London send off.

Being from Christchurch and meeting a Wellingtonian, rugby mad , surfer on the other side of the world was an inspiration to me . I worked with Joe for a number of years in London and travelled to more than a few exotic locations with him. Joe was a natural leader and was never far from making money and having serious fun. His engaging personality was infectious, his strong set values was driven by a uncanny closeness to his Wellington family including his many many friends. Joe held fondness to all things NZ. I recall being with Joe in a pub in London after way too many beers and at some horrendous hour we discovered that the bars phone was able to be used, so Joe calls his Mum in Wellington for a chat. Who else would do that. There are many story's that I am sure will be told tomorrow. Joe on a personal level , mate you had a full life and really were an angel , you were put her on a journey to show others how life should be lived, I'm just grateful that I was lucky enough to have meet you. Dam it you left us too soon, rest in peace big guy, keep smiling and laughing, watch down upon your family, Galv

From Eloy Ferrer March: I met Joe when he came to Europe in 1983/1984 when he visited his sister Patricia in Barcelona. He was travelling with his friends Andy, Dino and John after some time in the USA, carrying surfing boards and chasing chicks as he would have said then. From that visit I remember listening with him the U2 album Sunday bloody Sunday in our somehow hippy flat in Gracia, and taking him back and forth to La Ballena Alegre in Castelldefels with the yellow Renault 4. Then he managed to setup a successful business in London with his dear friends and he stayed in Europe for a few years. I even worked for him two days cleaning a house in London and I stayed in a hostal full of young kiwis and aussies where he was extremely popular. At the time he was spending summers in Mallorca and winters in the Alps. We were all very impressed. But although he stayed in Europe for a few years, I think he never stoped being a kiwi at hearth. This photo was taken when his mother Jean came to Europe with her friend Laury, around 1987. From that visit I remember taking Laury to a bullfight in Barcelona. This was the first and only bullfight I've ever been. Joe was very young when his father died and this must have shaped his character and strengthen his relationship with his mother. His mother Jean told me that unlike other teenagers, Joe had always been very proud of her and always walked with her in front of his friends when he was a teenager. I still see his smile and I can hear his deep voice when he introduced me to his friends as "my old sister boyfriend iloy". I remember Joe as an easy going, cheerful, happy soul, with a gift for getting the best in life.

The world has just lost a beautiful person that was taken too soon. I was shocked when a friend told me the sad news. You were a part of my younger years, leaving many fine memories of fun, laughter and good times. People come and go in our lives, but some always remain in our soul, weaving their threads into our hearts, creating the tapestry that make up our lives. Joe, you weaved your kindness and fun loving spirit into many people’s hearts. My prayers go out to your family for their loss. - Sheryll Potter-Garbe – Cody, Wyoming and Pohangina, NZ

Flame Trees - Cold Chisel

From Andrew Weir, commenting on their roadtrip photos: This was May 1983. The car actually broke down here but we managed to get it to New York and sell it to a Spanish car dealer for USD160!!! We had been in California for 2 months and drive across the USA to catch a flight to the UK. In Nashville that treated us as it we were aliens from out of space. Kiwi accents, surfboards, wrecked car not common in Nashville. Yeap, I think it cost around USD500. Brought it off the side of the road. Previous ownership very questionable!! We had no aircon and brought a $5 fan and placed it in the dash. It blew air for about 4cms!!! We shared the driving and once drove 24 hours non stop. We were in pairs. Two slept and one drove with the other guy keeping the driver awake etc. I drove with Joe as co-pilot. Everytime I went to speak to him he was fast asleep!!! He insisted he was awake the whole time.I could have driven off the Grand Canyon and they would have slept through it!!. I would have jumped out first of course.