Good Bastards Hall of Fame
Jack Heveldt
A truly original Good Bastard

Last week, on Monday the 24th of June, Mum's brother, my Uncle Jack passed away.

He was in his 90th year, same age as my Mum when she went home.

Now if ever there were a hard case Good Bastard, Jack Heveldt would fill the bill.

He was a twin to Hank, an equally hard case Good Bastard who some of you would have read about in the Good Bastards book.

Jack was one of the legendary Whitebaiters in deep South Westland. He fished the Maori River, catching the stuff by the kerosene tin full back in those days. A kerosene tin, for you more recent additions to the planet, holds about 20 kilos.

One night years ago, the brothers Hank and Jack arrived at the Fox pub only to find it all but booked out. Mary Kerr the publican said she only had a single room and that she would only let one of them stay there.

"What's wrong with you?" asked Jack. "We shared a womb for nine months on another occasion." They were allowed to share the room.

As young men, Hank and Jack once had a race to see who could eat a wooden butter box first. Jack won. He had a ferocious appetite back in his single larrikin days and was known to eat pretty much anything including curtains, flowers or anything that was handy. I saw him take a bite out of a book once.

If you wanted a good time you couldn't go far wrong by meeting up with Hank and Jack; two of the best.

Jack played in the Kokatahi Band for years. Now there is another bunch of real Good Bastards. Jack and his dad, pop Heveldt, both played the bones in this world famous old time band.

He is survived by his wife, Aunty Monnie, and four others in the family: Kerry, Brian, (Gus) Patricia and Kathleen.

Good onya Jack. I know it would have been a big one when you arrived up there. I think even Uncle Andy would have had a drink. I sure will be having a couple in your honour.