First business cards at 70

With age came a renewed zest for life for Cantabrian Colin James Patterson, who was 70 when he got his first business cards printed.

The poet, piper and avid performer was a familiar face on stage and loved entertaining crowds with his music, historical prose and wise messages. He took up reciting poetry in his later life, entertained audiences throughout the country and organised fundraising concerts.

Patterson, who was raised in Southbridge, died in Leeston on February 14.

Born on September 17, 1939, Patterson was the youngest of a six-strong brood born to William and Eva Patterson. The siblings said their mother usually ‘‘went away for a few hours and came back with a baby‘‘, Patterson’s eldest daughter Susan McIntyre recalled.

It was a humble childhood, with flax boats, guns crafted out of sticks, afternoons in Harts Creek and hours spent retrieving the rugby ball while his brother practised goal kicking in the paddock forming Patterson’s main entertainment.

The 50-hectare family farm was ‘‘nowhere near enough land’’ so between 1951 and 1953 two larger blocks of land were acquired, with William going into partnership with his four sons. Patterson was just 13.

‘‘From that moment he had such purpose and focus to fulfil his share of the farming partnership’’, McIntyre said.

Patterson could not wait to leave school, which he did on his 15th birthday, and began working with his brothers on the farm to build it up to 283ha. Eventually, the land was split, with Patterson taking over the ‘‘Springbrook block’’ and Simmental cattle stud.

Patterson worked with Environment Canterbury to lead a group of farmers, fishermen and environmentalists in transforming Harts Creek into a clear stream, allowing trout to return to it, and he frequently toured groups along the waterway.

He married Shirley Heslop in 1960 and they had McIntyre. Patterson was widowed shortly after, then met his second wife, Valmai. The pair married in 1968 and had three children – Heather, Sharon and NZ First MP Mark Patterson.

‘‘During these 49 years Mum and Dad have always loved to dance and never lost that spring in their step,’’ McIntyre said.

The couple were pipe band enthusiasts and attended the Edinburgh Tattoo in Wellington in 2016 ‘‘decked out’’ in Scottish bonnets and traditional attire.

The pipe band was hugely influential on the family, who said they had ‘‘the hugest pride watching Dad perform many, many times’’.

‘‘[His] lung capacity blew the Richter scale at the doctors.’’ Patterson was a member of the band for more than 60 years, becoming pipe major and tutoring many of the young pipers.

In his later years, Patterson did not slow down. A passionate sportsman, he enjoyed refereeing rugby and followed the All Blacks on their 2005 Grand Slam Tour of Britain and Ireland. Patterson was a talented golfer and won the MidCanterbury Open tournament.

He indulged in his love for poetry, an art he took up to ‘‘add interest to his countless hours on the tractor‘‘, McIntyre said. A 2007 cancer scare was the catalyst for his book, From Patterson’s Heart, a collection of his poems and ballads.

‘‘He had a gift for rhyme and words and enjoyed the fun of entertainment ... with funny skits at the golf club, the pipe band or family and community occasions,’’ McIntyre said. After winning a Christchurch poetry competition he was in ‘‘popular demand’’ for entertainment and had business cards printed stating ‘‘Poet, Piper, Performer’’.

Ellesmere Historical Society president Roger Gilbert said Patterson was a keen history buff and researched and dug up old photos of many of the clubs and organisations in the area.

McIntyre said her father was a ‘‘kind and interesting man, hardworking, thoughtful, creative, a real orator and a humble person with a sense of humour and community’’.

He is survived by his soulmate, Valmai, four children, 10 grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews.