Raymond Skinner

3 September 2024

Hi Craig, what an incredible man your dad was. His service was a symphony of praise and thanksgiving for a life well lived. A man who loved his wife, family, friends, and community. All the siblings spoke so eloquently of their father.. beautiful heartfelt words. May the Comforter help you grieve with a holy hope. Blessings, Brenda 🔥🌻

Brenda Oakes

2 September 2024

Ray has been instrumental in my career switch into sustainability, I only wish I could have thanked him more for his support. He was just across the pond and available on the other end of an email for me to discuss ongoings in the Chartered Accountants community and the progress that he had so keenly and passionately been advocating for, for so many years. He is the reason I'm reconnected to the Chartered Accountants profession as he was so vehement that more could and had to be done by accountants that he encouraged me to speak with them. He introduced me to others who have also helped me on my journey. While we met seldom (mostly due to COVID), we first met in 2019, so I have known him few years. Each catch up was enjoyable with his humour and to learn from his wisdom and enthusiasm. His Sustainability Matters newsletters and countless emails became an integral part of my life and has already been missed. He dedicated so much of his time to creating those newsletters and it was and is greatly appreciated, especially the quotes and cartoons he was always able to find a new one for each newsletter! I'm so glad I met Ray, and I am sure he has been a great influence to many others.

Miranda Siu

2 September 2024

Dear Ray, we were so glad to have spent time with you back in Singapore. You have always been inspiring and an excellent model of lifelong learning...so amazed at what you are doing or have accomplished through your life as testament by all who have shared here. Thank you for ever being so kind and we love receiving your letters and cards. You are dearly remembered and missed by us all.

Toy Family

31 August 2024

Dad has a good history of overcoming his health issues. Remember that after he fell off the Devonport roof, doctors said he'd never walk again & be confined forever to a wheelchair. Even his family were very pessimistic at the hospital & afterwards. Dad ignored the doctors & naesayers. Well, Dad soon proved medical _wisdom_ wrong & was up on crutches within weeks. After years of battling directly *through* the pain of smashed feet bones he successfully completed the house 2nd floor extension. After fun sailing the 18' yacht, he rebuilt a 21' yacht, then took us all sailing. Before Robert was born, Dad surpassed debilitating rheumatic fever & passed his auditing exams for a carrer change. Many people don't emotionally survive divorce nor the death of their life long spouse, yet Dad thrived as a single man again. A lot of men commit suicide after being made redundant and losing a career they enjoy, but Dad adapted to new opportunities of the period. In all situations, initial recovery was slow to start, but he gradually gained momentum over time. Remember his extensive history of overcoming all types of obstacles. In some ways I'm really glad he's fixated on his computer and the prospect of getting work done to help others. Why? Because it's a goal in the future of being selflessly helpful to other people. Dad's thinking beyond himself being stuck. He hasn't given up, but instead has a hope in the future.

Craig Reuben Skinner

29 August 2024

I’ve known Ray – as a friend and ally – for over 30 years now. We were both Chartered Accountants, with a view that CAs needed to do much more than they were doing to protect the planet, for a healthier environment now and for the future, and certainly to avoid the damage that we and the businesses we advise might sometimes do. This was Ray’s mission and passion, pursued relentlessly and also with the joy that comes from the occasional victory - at least until one remembers the other challenges which are still out there and still growing. His motto for 'Sustainability Matters' described his motivation succinctly: “Business achieving a tomorrow for tomorrow’s children”. I didn’t seek comments from my own associates but here are a few that I received anyway, on the news of his passing: “Please tell his family how appreciative we are of Ray’s dedication over the decades. I’ve been lucky enough to have received his SM newsletter since around 2000. Ray has made an amazing contribution. I’ll miss him too.” “I wholeheartedly agree with your description - such a humble, warm, hard-working man, absolutely dedicated to ‘the cause’ over many decades. I’ll miss him and 'Sustainability Matters' too.” “He was so passionate about sustainability and always great to chat to. His newsletter will be greatly missed.” “I feel really sad about that, Bruce. I valued the newsletters greatly, and had a brief correspondence with Ray. I had some sense of the huge amount of time he dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of all those working hard on living in harmony with the planet.” And: “It’s folks like Ray that are the real front line of moving toward sustainability – largely unrecognized, but vital!” Go well Ray. Thank you for your dedication, your mahi, your warmth and your inspiration. Ngā mihi mahana, Bruce

Bruce Gilkison

29 August 2024

Uncle Raymond, I have many fond memories of you. I remember the house in Devonport. Rob and I would slide down the stairs into the adjacent hallway wall in cardboard boxes. We would play black cat in the same hallway with Rachel and hangout in the loft upstairs that Robert and Craig shared. It was always a fun environment. I remember you dropping Rob and I at the cricket in Eden Park,, in the Mitsubishi van with the cool colors on the side. You would wear earplugs because of the engine noise and shout aloud “how did it go” and you always seemed calm with a cheeky grin. I also will miss the family Christmas card and the footnote at the end. I’m grateful for you visiting me in the US on the way to visit Rob on the west coast. We had a great time showing you around. We had many different opinions on many different subjects in our conversations but that never seemed to matter to you. We agreed to disagree sometimes. I will miss the banter. You will be missed greatly. Rest in Peace Uncle Raymond, respectfully Paul.

Paul Bruce Skinner

28 August 2024

A senior colleague and mentor who became a good friend. I had the privilege to work under Ray when I joined the Auckland City Council Internal Audit department 36 years ago. Ray was a meticulous and straightforward person who wanted to ensure things were done properly. He had the City and the ratepayers interests at heart. To this end he asked a lot of questions and made many suggestions sometimes to the annoyance of some staff and management people who wanted quick fixes, although many of us appreciated Ray's professionalism. . Those of us who worked closely with Ray and saw where he was coming from can see his sincerity. Ray was a great mentor and I learnt a lot from him through his questions and suggestions. Ray was focused on work quality and was supportive of the people who worked with him. We eventually became friends and would email and visit each other wherever possible. Ray was one of a few friends who had visited me both in Hamilton and Malaysia. His visits and his annual Christmas Card with a long letter will be greatly missed. Ray had lived a busy, productive life and has been supportive of family and friends and deserves a good rest. May you rest in peace, Raymond Skinner.

Gim Tan

27 August 2024

Uncle Raymond, You were many things. A Dad who made a cool mezzanine floor in the bedroom. I remember being in absolute awe. Always one step ahead with technology. The water called your name, sailing around the Hauraki gulf was your passion for a long time. Dad told me as a kid you would have the radio going, reading the newspaper and could hold a conversation with Nana in another room. That is a talent not many of us could ever successfully do. As a Dad you ran a household, worked and still had time to smile. Your passions soon included researching the family tree. There is no doubt you lived a full life, meeting others of our clan and filling in some gaping holes. I will miss and treasure the family Christmas letters you sent each year. We will all miss your humor and smile. Rest eternally in peace, Love Charmaine

Charmaine, Rangi, Zachary, Liam, Piripi & Hikipeni

27 August 2024

A brother beyond all in support and friendship, your heart was on your sleave for all to see.

Alan David Skinner