Issue date
Mark Gibbs’ final wish was to have his life celebrated where he spent so much of it - by fellow yachties at the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club.
A life member and past commodore of both QCYC and the Waikawa Boating Club, Gibbs passed away last week after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 67.
His deep knowledge and dedication to yachting earned him national respect, and his contributions to the sport spanned many years. He was instrumental in building the Waikawa Boating Club clubhouse at Waikawa Bay in the early 1980s and assisted his father-in-law, Sandy March, in running club racing.
He also competed in numerous events, including the Round North Island Race and the Central Triangle Race, and initiated the overnight Tarakohe races to help sailors gain confidence for offshore cruising.
Gibbs completed countless boat deliveries, sailed tens of thousands of ocean miles, and ultimately fulfilled his dream of cruising his own yacht, Excel, through the Pacific and to Tonga and Vanuatu.
Friends and family farewelled Mark Gibbs at the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club last week. Photos / Supplied
Though he preferred to work behind the scenes, Gibbs made history within the Waikawa Boating Club, holding every position on the executive and serving continuously for over 25 years.
His passion for boating was unparalleled, and as a Yachting New Zealand safety inspector, he was known for his fairness and meticulous attention to detail.
A dedicated father, Gibbs had also been deeply involved in the Scouting movement in earlier days, as well as the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club.
It was here where more than 200 friends and family members gathered last Wednesday night to share a drink and a story in his honour, followed by a sail-past with a flotilla of 22 boats farewelling Gibbs on Thursday.
"Mark did not want a formal funeral and instead wanted a gathering of friends at Queen Charlotte Yacht Club," said Yachting New Zealand regional development manager and close friend Ian Gardiner.
"We knew Mark by many names - but only one captured his essence - Big Mark. He was big in stature and big in heart and his service and dedication to the sport have been incredible. That's how he will be remembered - out on the water, giving back to help individuals and organisations, and never afraid to try something new and to enjoy life.
"He will be sorely missed in the wider yachting and boating community."
