Individual Notes

Note for: Ross Tait, 10 SEP 1926 - 5 FEB 1994 Index

Burial:
     Date:   8 FEB 1994
     Place:   Marsden Valley Cemetery, Nelson

Individual Note:
     Name, Date of Birth and Place and Date of Death and Place from A Dunn

The Nelson Evening Mail 7th February 1994 shows
Tait Ross, on February 5, 1994, peacefully at his home Harleys Road, Tasman. Dearly loved husband of Nola and loved father and friend of Jeffrey and Jacqueline, Mary-Lyn, Mark and Robyn, and Kate. Loved granddad of Harley and Prue. Loved eldest son of the late Peter and Ivy Tait. Loved brother and brother in law of Wanda and the late Gifford, Doreen and Doug Blundell, Donald and Joanne Tait, Alan and Heather Tait, Audrey and Ray Kitto, Margot and the late Murray Berkett, Colin and Marie Cullen, Alayne Cullen, David and Christine Cullen, and loved son in law of Thelma and the late Curly Cullen. In lieu of flowers donations to the Cancer Society, P.O. Box 335, Nelson
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Funeral Notice
The friends of Ross Tait are respectfully informed that his Funeral Service will be held at the United Church, Tasman, on Tuesday, February 8, 1994, at 11 a.m., followed by an interment in the Marsden Valley Cemetery, Nelson, at 2.30pm. Golden Bay/Motueka Funeral Services

Individual Notes

Note for: Gifford Henry Tait, 16 MAR 1929 - 30 DEC 1967 Index

Burial:
     Date:   2 JAN 1968
     Place:   Redwoods Valley, Nelson

Individual Note:
     Name, Date of Birth and Place and Date of Death from A Dunn

The Nelson Evening Mail 30th December 1967 shows
Giff. Tait Killed On Beach Track
Nelson's best-known racing car driver Mr Giffod Harold? Tait was killed instantly when his car flipped on to its roof on the Tahuna Beach track late this morning.
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Mr Tait's modified Valient saloon broadsided and rolled as it drifted into the hairpin bend at the western end of the track at about 70 m.p.h.
Mr Tait, was taking part in the morning preparations for the two-day New Zealand beach championship meeting, which was to open this afternoon.
Ashen-faced officials suspended all racing after the accident at 11.15 a.m. A driver's meeting was to be held at one o'clock to decide whether to continue the meeting. This is the second life claimed by the tricky western bend. On the first day of the 1961 meeting driver Brian Mabey was killed there.
Saw Accident
Officials of the club would make no statements to the press this morning concerning the accident. However, a driver following close behind, obviously shocked, told how he saw Tait die.
"He appeared to be still motoring hard as though he kept the power on full," the driver said. " He just didn't seem to be slowing down."
Another driver estimated Tait's speed into the corner at 70 m.p.h. He said Tait went out of control and broadsided. Then the wheels dug in and the car rolled wide out on the track.
The roof of Mr Tait's car, probably the most powerful vehicle at the meeting, was slightly flattened and most of the windows were broken. Mr Tait is understood to have been thrown out. One official who helped tow the wreckage away staggered out from the tow truck and buried his face in shaking hands. A St. John Ambulance officer said Mr Tait had been decapitated.
Confirming the death, a police spokesman said Mr Tait had been decapitated.
Another witness said it appeared that the driver's door had opened during the accident. Mr Tait, is in his late thirties, is a past president of the Nelson Car Club. He has been a prominent competitor at race meetings for many years, specialising in powerful saloon cars. He had had the present car for two years. Mr Tait was part-owner of the Nelson Winery, Redwood Valley.

The Press 2nd January 1968 shows
Front Page
Photo
A Nelson racing car driver was killed on Saturday when his car rolled while cornering at 70 miles an hour (above) on the Tahuna Beach circuit.
He was
Gifford Harold (sic) Tait, aged about 40.
Mr Tait, driving a modified Chrysler Valiant saloon, was killed in the crash at the western bend of the circuit.
He was preparing for the two-day New Zealand beach championship meeting.
Seven years ago, another Nelson racing driver, Mr B. Mabey, was killed on this corner at the New Year meeting

The Nelson Evening Mail 2nd January 1968 shows
Tait - On December 30, 1967, at Tahunanui (result of an accident), Gifford Henry, dearly loved husband of Wanda Joyce Tait, of Redwoods Valley and loved father of Adrian, Trudi, Andrew and Duncan, loved son of Peter and Ivy Tait, of Ruby Bay. In his 39th year. Interred this day at Marsden Valley Cemetery

Individual Notes

Note for: Murray Edward Berkett Formerly Tait, 28 SEP 1940 - 27 APR 1985 Index

Burial:
     Place:   Nelson

Individual Note:
     Name, Date of Birth and Place and Date of Death and Place from A Dunn

The Nelson Evening Mail 30th April 1985
Berkett Murray Edward, on April 27, 1985 (suddenly). Dearly loved son of Kath and the late Leonard Berkett. Much loved brother and brother in law of Maria and Joe
Cameron, uncle to Maureen (Mrs B. Miles), Lynette (Mrs D. Smith), Kylie and Carl. (All of Brightwater). Sadly missed. The Funeral was held today, Tuesday