Dennis,my heart felt condolences to your family. I got to know you as hole drilling man .I worked with you on awakino hill just below the rest area where you drilled deep holes so I could fill them with concrete to help stabilize the road. It was a privelage to know you. You been called to higher duty's and will suffer no more pain. Kind regards" Robert Webber.

To the Colson family, Lorraine, Steve, Nikk and Andrew Te Kuiti trap shooters club We are saddened at the sudden passing of Dennis, a man we all new as a friend. Dennis had the incredible gift of innovation, a thinker and a person at the forefront of shooting during his career, Dennis’s talent led him to a national title in double rise and many high level achievements in skeet ,Dennis served as a national coach for the NZTC , Dennis served as a committee member and president of our club, and along with other members was responsible for what we have today. Dennis was bestowed with life membership by our club a truly well-deserved honour . We saw in Dennis a man with a well-rounded family ,work shooting, fishing, hunting life. His innovation excelled in ammunition clay targets lead shot manufacturing, game feeders and dog food supply and just about anything else he could imagine possible. My one memory that stands out was his incredible ability to train a dog. As a young plumber I saw Dennis with his mate in tow, just look at his dog and command it was uncanny. Jim Tarrant’s memories are that of a friend and adversary in the sport whom he had many battles with , describing him as a friendly foe with the greatest respect, Jim recognises the tremendous role Dennis played in our club and the Waitomo club shooting section where a band of brothers travelled the North Island in search of the elusive prize of the best team, the meat pack prize and the individual honour, many drinks were drunk in celebration and commiseration on these trips . Dennis we will miss you as a club and as a friend you will never be forgotten ,we will ensure you memory lives on ,rest in peace Neil Pratt President Te Kuiti Trapshooters Club

I will always remember the fun adventures I had with Dennis. His meticulous way of doing things for a near perfect outcome. And all the fishing skills learnt from watching him. Eating blackboy peaches from his garden at the beach, the best hoe-made tinned albacore and sausage making king. Sashimi & oyster time! I will always salute him whenever I drink black heart rum. My heart and thoughts are with you. Dennis will be greatly missed by many. Carlos.

Where to start Baby Bro, what a great man. A guy of fun, laughter and love. Many great times we have had with the Whiskey bottle. Playing cards and Baby Bro would disappear too much whiskey. He was and will always be Baby Bro to our family. A man of honesty, integrity and most of all his undying love for Lorraine and his family. Have a cuppa up there with Big Bro. Rest in peace all our love goes with you. Vyv and family

Dennis Well what can we say? Since you appeared on the scene all those years ago maybe 54 plus, I remember going to visit you and Lorraine by train when you lived in Taumarunui for my school holidays. Then when I got older I went hunting with you. One time I remember we were coming out of Benneydale one day and you fell asleep at the wheel, almost colliding with a fence BUT you woke up just in time. We also got lost in Waitomo in the bush once as well. Glenis’s first initiation to your antics was being thrown into the bath at Bain street by your mates just to make sure that she would fit in with the family and enjoy a joke. Then you made an awesome toast to us at our wedding quoting parts from Winston Churchill, it will be long etc. For those that don’t know the quote google it please. Lots of happy times , too many to mention and now you are gone, you’ve taken your last dog run ride, so fly high, fly free. Hopefully the hunting and fishing is good up there. All our love to you Lorraine and we know that with your family around you that you will make it. You’ve got a fantastic family there beside you today and we are so sorry we can’t be with you but it is, what it is. Such a shock, but now pain free and so glad that we spent time together last Wednesday. ALL OUR LOVE - Dave, Glenis, Chris & Michelle & and Kelly

From Elaine, Llew and families in Australia. We are all left truly stunned by the passing of Dennis. Please accept our sincerest sympathies and take heart in knowing we are thinking of you all at this time. Although we have been living in Australia for a long time, we have never stopped thinking of you all. Time and distance has seen us somehow miss close and frequent contact , but, family ties always kept us together. Our memories of Dennis are as rich and clear as ever. From paddling down a severely flooded Waikato River on a door to hunting in the bush on the central plateau, Dennis was our ideal hunting and fishing man and we always enjoyed joining in with your parties, barbeques, hunting and family times. Dennis you had a wonderful, loving wife and family. You had a grand, full, rich life. All these things we strive for and call success. Your children and grandchildren have a lot to look up to and we wish them all well, including their wives and partners. May your family long remember the fun, the laughs and the good times. Such a shame it was all too short. Remember Lorraine that we are here at the end of the phone, day or night if you need to talk and we will get together when this covid thing gets out of the way. Dennis will always be loved and remembered by all your family in Australia. We send love and hugs to help you through this time…..love always…..Llew, Elaine and families