PIZZINI, Ivan, Passed away at Waikato Hospital after a short illness on Wednesday, 16th September 2026, aged 90 years. Dearly loved husband of Delia for 53 years. Cherished father and father-in-law of Denise & Steve Preece, Wayne & Bridie Pizzini; and much-loved stepfather of Gary & Jill Brown, Craig & Megan Brown, and Wayne & Paula Brown. A loving Grandad to his 11 grandchildren, and Old Grandad to his 24 great-grandchildren.
A service to celebrate Ivan’s life will be held at Woodside Estate, Woodside Road, Tamahere, on Thursday, 24th September 2026 at 1:00pm.
Messages to the Pizzini Family can be sent c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434, or left in Ivan’s online tribute book at www.grinters.co.nz
3 Messages:
We met Ivan and Delia on our first visit to NZ. Our granddaughter Rachelle and Glen Brown, a NZ man who met working in dairying QLD Australia returned to NZ 8 years ago with their son Rory Wayne Brown. They married their family had an addition on Luke Elvin and Evelyn Jane. We were lucky to visit a few times a year and meet their relatives and friends. Of course Ivan being such a wonderful person volunteered to be our airport pick up person which was so much appreciated. We become friends immediately and spoke on Facebook regularly with Ivan and Delia. Our trips come to a halt when my husband was unable to travel. Could not believe our eyes when our cherished friends flew to Aus to visit. How amazing. Ivan will be sadly missed leaving such a loving wife Delia, family and friends with so many memories. RIP Ivan. Beverley and Elvin Sorensen QLD Australia
An amazing man who had an amazing life. Time for rest now Ivan. With great respect from Kathie Semmens and family. Loving condolences to all the family.
Hi Family, have known Ivan since bout 1980, my heart felt sadness at Ivan’s passing. Ivan did live a long life, full of the delights of living. His passions with boats and indoor bowls are legendary. Memories, I had to smile, used to call him Mr Magoo, he would never wear his glasses in workshop, learnt never to be close to him, as anything could happen, he once put a cut-off disk in a grinder back to front, resulting in the disk flying to bits at high speed, none of bits hit Ivan, two windows hit, one clipped me, resulting in 15 stitches!!! Another famous incident, just got new bus, an automatic, got Ivan to bring into workshop. Somehow he managed to get foot stuck on accelerator pedal underneath brake pedal. Bus fired through workshop straight through back wall into shower/ toilet area. Thank god no one was on the john! Perhaps the best was we were doing bus COF’s which involved jacking up buses at entrance to workshop. So in between inspections, I was chatting to Vehicle Inspector, Ivan was positioning trolly jack, walking backwards pulling it. Watching, thinking good time to stop now. But like, he kept going, disappeared into workshop pit, followed by 50kg jack, hospital visit. Oh another, on phone, heard this almighty crash, jumped up ran out into workshop, bus fallen off stands, all I could see was Ivan’s legs sticking out from underneath bus, thought, Fuck. Called his name, hoping for reply, got muffled response, breathed a Sy of relieve, unbelievably bus came down where he was between the diff bell and outside brake drum. Spent an hour carefully jacking up to get him out, Only thing, bruised ribs. A cat has nine lives, Ivan had 40, when you add in his fencing and boating accidents. Many things with Ivan, his ability with public speaking was nothing short of amazing. His tireless support of the local community over many many decades. His willingness to support and help anyone in the community with problems/ issues. Yes, Delia, right beside Ivan. The saying ‘Give you the shirt off my back’. That was Ivan, anyone needing help, he was there.
I think mate, a life well lived, my love to you and your family, may we all celebrate your life. Sadly I’m away so can’t attend the celebration of your life. But you will always be there at times when I reflect, of course I have scar, which helps!!!
Mike Pidduck.
ctlbus@outlook.com