Keith’s bench finds new resting place2 min read

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After eight years standing quietly beneath the trees at St Peter’s Anglican Church in Onehunga, the bench where well known rough sleeper Keith Johnson drew his final breath has been lovingly moved to its new and permanent resting place – under an oak tree at his younger brother, Daryl’s home in Netherton, near Paeroa.

In July 2017, 57-year old Keith passed away on the bench where he spent many of his days watching the community go about their day, and sharing the bench with local friends. His death left a mark on the community, who responded with grief, flowers, handwritten notes and – most memorably – a surfboard fixed to the back of the bench, to honour Keith’s love of surfing.

Sadly, that surfboard was stolen in May this year.

But Keith’s memory lives on. “Onehunga was home to my dad,” says his daughter, Kannon, who helped arrange the relocation of the bench with support from Business Onehunga and the Auckland Council, who repainted the bench seat for the family. “He lived life to the fullest and was happiest doing things his way.”

Keith’s sister-in-law, Cathy, described Keith as a trendsetter with a heart of gold. “He’d give someone the shirt off his back – literally – and then walk around shirtless for days. Keith and commitment had no relationship, but people loved him for exactly who he was.”

Known for his loud hollering, bright smile, and cheeky spirit, Keith was a regular at Western Springs Speedway, where he shared a love of racing with his father, Pat, and brothers, Daryl and Wayne. He was once nicknamed “Goldie” after a trip to Tonga, returning with a mouth full of gold teeth. He also bleached his hair blonde and claimed to be “The real Slim Shady before Slim Shady was born.”

During the bench removal, Cathy, sang a waiata while Auckland Council’s Toby Andrews unbolted the seat. She also played Keith’s favourite song, Pancho and Lefty by Willie Nelson, on a bluetooth speaker, before Vicar Andrew Coyle offered a prayer for Keith and his family.

Keith’s bench – and his memory – rests in peace, surrounded by those who loved him most. The bench will be replaced by the council.