Dom and I worked together in Angola between 1999 to 2004, Dom was the team lead PABX guru and I was the data Network Team lead for Chevron’s operation in Malongo camp in the North West enclave of Angola called Cabinda province.

We both worked on a 28 day on 28 day off rotational shift so it was my good fortune to end up working with Dom on the same rotation. From the first day we met, Dom was a friendly and easy going guy and over the next 5 years we became good friends.

I remember that first new year’s eve quite clearly as it was the year 2000 millennium celebration, well for everyone not on standby for potential year 2000 isues, so for us both was the quietest new years’ eve ever… we were both totally sober (a first and last for new year eve celebrations in Malongo) but the next evening was another matter…

Sunday was a half day for work so we usually organised a get together with our mates, in fact Sunday was the social day of the week and a great time to relax and get a little pissed. The Camp was a mix of all sorts of nationalities and we both had a
close group of friends we would meet up with each evening and especially on
Sundays. To name a few (sorry if I have left anyone out) Dave Buckley & Duane Coleman (Ausies), Terrance Van Rooyen from South Africa, Dave Storm (Stormer) from Scotland, Geraldine Kennedy (Ireland), myself Andy Volp from NZ and many others.

We had many great evenings behind the Telecoms office, and it quickly became the usual gathering place to have a few beers, game of darts and shoot the breeze. Dom was a keen sports follower and always seemed to know the latest and historic news on just about anything you cared to talk about. I’m from New Zealand so instantly Dom had a keen interest in telling me how crap the NZ All Blacks were, and I would happily reciprocate when the AB’s kicked the English arses (which seems to be most times the two teams met), and so the piss taking and joviality would continue. I can remember times we both laughed so hard we had tears rolling
down our faces, we had some great times.

Dom was always keen on running and had a good group of friends he would run with each evening, I personally didn’t get involved in running until my last couple of years in Malongo and I was always amazed how quick big Dom was on his feet, I couldn’t keep up with him. He occasionally felt sorry for me and would slow down a bit, but I did improve over time but would still struggled to keep up with the unstoppable
Dom.

After I left Malongo in 2004 Dom visited me in NZ and stayed with me and my family for a few days, it was great to catch up with him. I last spoke to Dom on Facebook communicator on 15th April this year, he told me the bad news of his diagnoses of Parkinson’s and MND so I was shocked and very saddened to hear that Dom had passed away in that short period since our last chat. That was something I wasn’t expecting and now feel regret I didn’t keep in closer contact with my good friend.

Dom, you are a top guy, it’s been a pleasure and my good fortune to have known you and call you friend. My condolences to Dorothy and her daughter and to all of Dom’s friends and family.

Rest in peace Dom, until we meet again in the next life, have a few cold ones lined up for me.

If anyone has ever watched the begining of an All Blacks rugby game, the traditional Moari Haka is performed (composed by Te Rauparaha, war leader of the Ngāti Toa tribe of the North Island of New Zealand in 1820), here are the words and translation as a send off to my mate Dom.

Ka mate, ka mate! ka ora! ka ora!
Ka mate! ka mate! ka ora! ka ora!
Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru
Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā
Ā, upane! ka upane!
Ā, upane, ka upane, whiti te ra!

English translation.

’Tis death! ‘tis death! (or: I may die)
’Tis life! ‘tis life! (or: I may live)
’Tis death! ‘tis death! ’Tis life! ‘tis life!
This is the hairy man
Who brought the sun and caused it to shine
A step upward, another step upward!
A step upward, another... the Sun shines!