Kerry McDonald is described as a kind man who was generous with his time.
Northlander Kerry McDonald had stood on the deck of his home, beer in hand, admiring the Bay of Islands scenery and appreciating life. He had no idea that less than two weeks later he would be dead.
McDonald’s partner of 15 years, Lauren Powell, believed his death was a heartbreaking reminder to treasure your loved ones.
“One day my man went, and he didn’t come home,” she told the Northern Advocate.
McDonald, 64, had been travelling to work at Marsden Point early on January 28 when his motorbike and a vehicle crashed at the intersection of State Highway 15 and McCathie Rd.
He died after suffering multiple injuries, including a punctured artery.
Police are investigating the crash and say no charges have been laid.
Powell recalled the day McDonald had stood on the deck of the couple’s Russell home.
“ ... He said, ‘You know, honey, I never, ever thought I would ever have this’.”
“This”, Powell explained, was the life the pair had built together. Six shared children, 11 grandchildren, a great-grandchild, two dogs, birds, a garden blooming with flowers and fruit, and a home loud with laughter.
McDonald was her best friend, Powell said.
The former search and rescue member had split life between work in Whangārei and life at home in the Bay of Islands.
McDonald had spent nearly four decades at Marsden Point, first with the refinery before it closed in March 2022 and then working on the site redevelopment project for Channel Infrastructure.
McDonald’s days off were spent at home completing DIY projects, spending time with family or exploring the couple’s big blue backyard.
“He just loved the water,” Powell said.
McDonald had taught his grandchildren, whom he adored, how to snorkel. He often dived for kina to give to Powell while she waited on the boat.
He had at one time planned to stop diving when he turned 60 but jokingly pushed the age up to 70, reluctant to give his beloved hobby up.
Powell spoke of being struck with worry about McDonald while the couple were out on the water not long before he died.
“It [was] the first time that I thought to myself, ‘What if he doesn’t come up?’, and I’d never think like that,” she said.
Now Powell lives with constant reminders McDonald is no longer here, such as the design of their home.
The couple had carefully constructed their house so when McDonald came through the doorway and dropped his bags after working away, he was greeted by their sea view.
“He was just so lovely to live with,” Powell said.
He’d arrive home about 7pm, stand at the door and say, “I’m home”.
“I’d go and give him a big hug and a kiss, and he’d say, ‘Perfect’,” Powell said.
Then McDonald would grab a brew.
“We always call him double-parked, he’d have a coffee and a beer,” Powell said.
She struggled with knowing McDonald will never again be home to say, “Wow, look at the flowers” in the garden or to count the bananas from the deck.
“You go through life and you can have relationship problems and kid problems … but we got to a point where I couldn’t believe [how perfect we were]. It was just perfect. And then … where do you go from here?”
Powell was comforted to know so many people knew him as she did, something she hadn’t realised until McDonald died.
“I know it sounds weird, but sometimes people are different when they’re at work. They’re professional ... which he was,” Powell said.
She had been left in awe when McDonald’s colleagues came to say their goodbyes to their workmate.
“ ... Because what they were saying about him was my Kerry,” she said.
Her Kerry was a kind-hearted and genuine man, who was generous with his time and armed with a “wicked” sense of humour.
His death had shifted Powell’s perspective.
“ ... When you think things are bad, it’s like, cool, what if somebody rings you this afternoon and says he’s not coming home?
“You know, your attitude changes, and it’s like, it’s okay. It’s just a little minor.”
Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.