We’re sad to say that Dr Bruce Kaye, a founding member of Abbeyfield New Zealand who was actively involved in the organisation for more than 30 years, died last week. The former GP was a close friend and colleague of Dr Ted Bassett, who enlisted him on to Abbeyfield New Zealand’s founding committee in 1992. Bruce went on to chair the Abbeyfield New Zealand board, Abbeyfield Partnerships (the forerunner to Abbeyfield Properties) and was also Abbeyfield’s honorary medical advisor. He was a current trustee of Abbeyfield Foundation, a role he had held for many years. Bruce was closely involved with the establishment of two Abbeyfield houses in Nelson and chaired Abbeyfield Nelson in the late 1990s. He was also a director of Abbeyfield International from 1999-2004 and he received the international Royal Patron’s Award for his outstanding service to Abbeyfield in 2015.

Many in Abbeyfield have described Bruce as a real gentleman; he cared greatly about Abbeyfield and always reminded us of the founding mission, to alleviate loneliness and isolation in older people. Bruce was a dedicated Rotarian, and through his professional and voluntary activities he touched the lives of many, and we are all the richer for having known him.