Obituary: John Samuel Millar

On February 10th 2022, peacefully at Wairarapa Hospital, aged 71 years, with wife Alison, son Jason and Jason’s partner Cassa at his side.

John was formerly a shearer, including shearing overseas and a long time Wairarapa fencing contractor well known for his prowess on a bulldozer and fencing abilities. John was an unassuming, well-liked character, an old school fencer with an exceptional acquired knowledge of stock movements and yard designs. His attention to detail and workmanship in yards was second to none.

A keen supporter of FCNZ, John enjoyed a good read of the WIRED and helped with the organising of the FCNZ Masterton Conference. John attended a number of FCNZ conferences throughout the years and Field Days throughout the country. A mainstay on the Revolution Postdriver site at Field Days for 17 Fieldays, and attending Central Districts most years, visiting all the fencing sites. John was also a regular on Noksee’s trips to Stewart Island.

John will be greatly missed by a number of his mates in the fencing community.

Fencer Man

I’m a fencer man through and through I’ll fence until I die I’ll put those fences across any ground I’ll fence to the sky.

I’ll ram and bang and dig those holes, Through any dirt or rock I’ll keep going all day long Until I’ve done the lot.

My strainers are my pride and joy My strainers do me proud They’re packed down solid and rammed up tight Ask any man around!

My ears may be filled with hair And my hair may be turning grey But I still shoulder lift planks and posts every single day.

And if any man should come along, claiming to be the best. I’ll test his claim through and through I’ll never let it rest.

Hmm, think you’re top dog do you? Think you know it all? Well my lad, I’ll tell you this You’re set for a mighty fall.

Because I don’t like cocky bastards No one knows more than me! If you don’t like it than bugger off, I’ll tell you that for free!

This poem was meant for John Millar, and rings true for so many! Poem written by Libby Handyside – an English lass that worked for John about a decade ago. A portion of Peter Millar – Johns son – tribute relating to his father as a fencer

He might have been just your fencing contractor, It’s quite possible he was your fencer for many years and also became your friend. It’s also possible that he was someone you got sick of waiting to turn up and was no longer your fencer but still your friend He might have been your patient and your fencer He might have been a fencer for your dad and then became your fencer.