One of two suave Lebanese-descended brothers – Lin and Des – who got involved in the Piha Surf Club. Lin was sophisticated, always immaculately groomed and turned out, and he liked a pretty lady on his arm, though he eventually settled down with Pam and had a family. Lin was one of the many honourary uncles to my sister Helen and me and I still treasure his Christmas present, Les Cleveland’s then newly published but now classic book The Mountains and the Sea. Despite his devotion to the Piha club, Lin would absent himself from Piha at the height of the Christmas-New Year to partake of the more glamorous summer season to be had at The Mount, a defection which seemed to be forgiven. Lin got involved with Dad in the Auckland Regional Authority and between the two of them found the regional funds for the inaugural rescue helicopter service.