Ian Smith went to school in Napier and had many friends in the region. Photo / Supplied
Ian Smith went to school in Napier and had many friends in the region. Photo / Supplied
The hunt to find 10 beneficiaries included in the will of a beloved former Napier man has turned into a mystery, almost two years on from his death.
Ian Douglas Smith died in April 2020 aged 76.
He spent most of his life in Auckland but grew up in Hawke'sBay and attended Napier Boys' High School between 1957 and 1961 and kept strong connections in the region.
Smith left a large part of his estate to relatives - not having any children of his own - as well as charities.
However, he also left part of his estate to 100 recipients he titled Omega Beneficiaries in his 15-page will.
"He was a thoroughly likeable man and a great friend to many, many people," friend David Lyon said.
Lyon said Smith would quite often stay a night or two in Napier visiting old friends.
He said he was a life member of the Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club in Auckland and had an "eccentric" and extremely likeable personality.
Among his adventures, Smith and a friend paddled across the Cook Strait in 1971 in a kayak.
Lyon, who is one of the executors of his will, did not disclose how much money had been left for the remaining recipients but said it was a "modest" amount.
He added it would be great to locate the remaining beneficiaries because the funds would otherwise go to the Crown as unclaimed goods.
Ian Smith attended Napier Boys' High School. Photo / NZME
You can contact Lyon on davidlyon21ac@gmail.com.
Remaining beneficiaries (plus notes from the will):
