Congratulations to Paul Ford who is Kiwi Families Father of the Year for 2008.
Click here to view Paul Ford receiving the Father of the Year Award on Sunday TV3 News.
When he was younger, Paul Ford was on the verge of playing league for New Zealand and joining the army. But he gave up those dreams to devote himself to family
Nomination from Rose Ngatuaine Nahu, Grand daughter
I would like to nominate my Granddad for the father of the year competition.
Paul John Ford.
My Granddad entered my mother’s life when she was four years old. My mother is a sibling of six. The family unit consists of five girls and one boy.
My Granddad was 19 years old when he met my Grandmother and he automatically inherited a ready-made family of five.
My Granddad gave up his dreams and life to be in the Army and settled down with this newfound family. He has dedicated his life and given up so many of his own goals and achievements to make sure that our family have had an extremely fortunate life. Thirty years in the Forestry and never a complaint. He has also given up sports selections in Rugby League (NZ Kiwi’s) to stay with us.
Three years ago my grandmother passed away and in the three years that she has been gone my Granddad has had four operations (Hip replacement, Right and Left Knees and Kidney removal). We know that he has always put himself and his health second to my Grandmother, 6 Children, 13 Grandchildren and the 3 Great grandchildren.
He is the most honest and reliable dad that has given my mother and her brother and sisters the life that only dreams are made of. He has never made them feel as if they were stepchildren.
He is funny and likes playing games (jokes and dares). My mother laughs about the old bombs (Betsy Lou was the classic Hillman and Betty Lou was the Station Wagon Blue and White Holden Cars) that would break down in the most embarrassing places (Christmas Parades, School Events and usually in the Center of Town) and how her dad would push the vehicle while she and her brother and sisters would leave him there. Of holidays that included the whole neighborhood (Family, Friends and Strangers) playing Bull-rush and Tiggy on the big back lawn. (endless countless hours of fun). The Family sized Para Swimming pool that everyone would come and get thrown in because her dad would pick them up, clothes, make-up and all.
The morale of all those happy times is you don’t need to go on an expensive holiday when you can have the same experiences for free.
The talk of the neighborhood and half of Rotorua was Army style. Fire works that would light up the back-lawn and the trouble that he could of got in if the display had gotten out of control.
For years my mother believed that her dad was her real father although she was predominantly Maori and he was of real Pakeha European heritage. Colouring was a real dead give-away. People would comment. It was kind of like the Black and White minstrels. But for my mother he was her dad no matter what.
Enclosing, I would like to thank my Granddad for the life and for the values and love he has instilled in all of us. We have been truly lucky in Life. We are not rich in money but we are rich in golden memories.
My Granddad is the most deserving for the father of the year competition.
Rose Nahu.