15/05/2026
A year ago today we lost our "Bradda"
Pete "Sam" Wanakoe
A year has gone pass with Pete's passing, ,yep the trucks still start early in the morning, the boys roll outa the yard and logs still get carted but its just not the same without you mate.
The Waikato singlet (complete with holes), the rugby shorts, the work socks and crocs, the bit of a limp and a bloody big smile walking across the yard. That was you mate.
Not only Loadco but the trucking industry lost a bloody good guy that sad day. Your work ethic was unmatched, your dedication to your job and family was clearly evident by your actions. Your love for Hine and little Sam. The day you were handed the keys to your new truck you said, "you won't regret this c**k, I'll make it work" and you kept your word every day.
Sunday arvo, I'd be down doing starts, you'd pull up in your ute, put your clean hi-vis in your truck, check your truck over, walk up the stairs and say, "what am I doing tomorrow" then you would tell me what you were doing lol. Maybe a quick beer and then you'd say, "I'm going home to have a feed and go to bed" and I knew Monday morning 1252 would be pumping.
You always had a way with getting your point across mate with some phrases like:
"You better sort that c #?t before I do"
"Don't put me behind that c #?t I haven't got all day to f #?k around"
"You think you're the boss"
"Yep ok but you know I'm going to do it my way"
It was either black or white with Pete, there was no grey area, you knew where you stood and God help you if you pi**ed him off.
It was always a laugh when I got to pump the highway with you mate. You knew from when you left the yard you were hammer down. If you were in front of Pete, you knew he was stalking you all day and one eye was always on your mirror waiting for that big smile to catch you up. If he was in front of you, you were just trying to keep up.
You weren't only part of the Loadco Family but also a big part of my family (Peaches lol)
So many good memories of "the man, the legend" and I bloody wish you were still here mate making more of them.
Truck on Bradda
