Mark Bridgman A past deputy chair of the NZ AIDS Foundation whose funeral was held today is being acknowledged as an influential board member during one of the NZAF's most difficult periods. Mark Bridgman, 53, died in Auckland on Sunday after a short battle with cancer which was only discovered in its late stages. Although he was born in Wellington Bridgman made Auckland his home and for the most recent fifteen years lived with his partner, David Coltman, who survives him. "Mark was integral to the way the NZAF Trust Board re-established confidence with the community," says ex-board chair Hoani Lambert, referring to a time when several previous boards and chairs had publicly self-destructed and the organisation was losing the respect of the communities it was created to serve. "When we came to calm things down we were mostly Wellingtonians on the board and Mark became the voice of gay Aucklanders," says Lambert. "He helped us steer a course through a very delicate and politically charged environment... it couldn't have been done without him. It's very sad that he's gone." By profession Bridgman was a manager in the Defender's Office of the Justice Department. After leaving the NZAF Trust Board he became a member of the board of Body Positive.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 7th November 2012 - 8:57pm