It was with sadness that I heard about the death of Hai Tong Too at his Napier home last week.
Seventy-one-year-old Mr Too had been a tireless advocate for minority groups for 40 years and the loss of this lovely man will be felt by many, not least his family.
I had the good fortune to meet Mr Too earlier this year when he was selected as a national finalist (Lifetime Achievement) in the first ever Pride of New Zealand Awards, having won the regional award for the lower North Island. Hawke's Bay Today supported the awards, along with TSB Bank, The New Zealand Herald and The Hits radio station.
I remember Mr Too and his wife Jennifer were very humbled that he had been recognised for the hard work he had done over the years. And hard work it was. Mr Too was past president of Multicultural Association Hawke's Bay and also served as Hawke's Bay Chinese Association president. He was also a Justice of the Peace, a chartered accountant and a self-taught musician. What a full life he lived - a life in which he gave generously of his time to support others. We are blessed that our communities have men and women like Mr Too, who simply get on with doing good and do not expect any awards or accolades.
As admired and appreciated as Mr Too was in the community, it was the reaction of his wife and daughter to his death that spoke volumes about the measure of the man. Jennifer Too said she was "absolutely devastated and heartbroken", while his daughter Leanne said her father was a friend and a mentor.
The fact that he was so loved by two of the closest people to him tell you all you need to know about the man. Our condolences to Mrs Too and the family.
