Horst Victor Maluschnig - Peacefully on 23 April 2022 in his 82nd year.

Born 20th November 1939 in the small town of Altofen, Austria. Adored son of late Maria and Victor, dearly loved and loving husband of Joan, treasured father and grandfather of Marina, David and Belinda, Robbie, James, Aimee, Amelia, Logan, Ben and Amon. Brother to Kurt and late Harold. Survived by his siblings in Austria; Elfriede, Helmut and Lisi. Much loved brother-in-law of Cordy Maluschnig. Respected uncle to Ernest Steven, and late Richard.

Born only months into one of histories harshest eras, Horst spent his childhood growing up fast in a loving family that really made the most from the little they had.
Even though times were dire, he often explained that his early childhood years were the same in his eyes as any other kids. Fun loving, exciting, often getting into innocent trouble, he made it to his teenage years with a thick skin, a compassionate soul and overall, the beginnings of a good keen man.
After coming to terms with the realization that his first passion of Accounting was not within reach due to financial restrictions, Horst began a watchmaking apprenticeship at the early age of fourteen, which would grow to be one of his many talents in his life.
After honing and perfecting his craft in Watchmaking, obtaining an array of certificates from the U.S & Switzerland, he made the move abroad after a short visit to New Zealand to see his brother, Kurt.

With the intention of only enjoying his stay as a temporary visit, New Zealand became a permanent residence after meeting our lovely Joan and telling us Grandchildren that from the first time laying eyes on her, going back to Austria was never an option.
After meeting the one true love of his life, Horst continued to apply the devotion, delicacy and exuberance he was so naturally blessed with in all areas of his new life,
In the building of a long and loving marriage, in creating a success business from scratch, and in embracing the joys throughout the journey of fatherhood, to both his children and his grandchildren.
Horst took a lot of pride in his incredible work ethic, though modest about his achievements, there was no hiding one of his greatest accomplishments to date -
After only 14 years in a once foreign country, Horst built the beloved family home in Epuni Street, which has remained the family home to this present day and days to come.

Horsts primary passion has always been his family, but when time would allow it, you’d find his talents stretched out to the Football field and Golf Course, treating both like a true artform and valuing good sportsmanship above all other aspects of the game as we all know, he simply couldn’t allow himself to do things half hearted.
After putting in years at Brooklyn Northern United as both a player, and treasurer,
Golf became his main sporting focus, while simultaneously completing regular rounds, Horst put his hand up to take on the role of “Handicapper”, to work out the weekly players handicaps.

As anyone who knew Horst would tell you, there were really no aspects of his life where his great sense of humor didn’t shine through, and Golf was no exception.
So during his days at Blue Mountain Club, he decided he’d create his own competition. The standard for these competitions in the golfing world was to have an “Open”, allowing anyone at the club to enter. But Horst found the idea of “The Austrian Closed” to be far more entertaining, and stating that you’d could only be *invited* to play at this
competition. Winner even takes home their very own custom made trophy, complete with a little bag of golf clubs fastened to a base, all crafted by Horst of course!

85 Upland Road, Kelburn, Wellington. Better known to the local community and antique enthusiasts as, “The Watch Clinic”, owned and operated by the friendly Austrian man who everyone knew and trusted to do a quality job in an honest and integral fashion.
This was the case for 52 strong years, and with this tenure, it comes as no surprise Horst had built up a long list of loyal customers who persistently used him and no one else.
It’s not often you find a business that can say they have served generations of families in the time they’ve had their doors open. But it’s almost impossible to find a scenario like this one where the man behind the counter is the same when serving each generation of those families. This was really something Horst found sacred and special in his line of work.
For example, 10 years ago during an interview with the Dominion Post, he shared the story of a ten year old boy who came in to the shop on his way to school and in Horsts own words, he said “Thirty-five years later, he came in again with his own children.
That was lovely.”

Like any craftsman, Horst often had a love/hate relationship with his shop. While he always found joy in using his skillset to provide solutions for his customer base, the constant five to six day weeks with long hours were sometimes taxing and eventually, his body could not keep up with the work ethic set in his mind.
Therefore, it was naturally a sad day for all when the friendly Austrian watchmaker everybody knew and loved had to close the doors of the Watch Clinic for good, it was apparent it had left a big hole in his heart.

Horst was a true optimist through and through, a real “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” type. Which is how his mindset stayed, right up until the very end.
He was never one to complain. He knew from a very young age what the true meaning of having nothing was - even simply being thankful for an Orange from his father as a Christmas gift one year as that was something worth celebrating with what they had at the time. So when the time came for retirement, although he didn’t have the retirement he had so whole heartedly worked for, which was due to macular degeneration, as well as other physical health issues, Horst still strived every day to try and make hay while the sun was shining. While he wasn’t physically able to fulfill his almost life long passion of restoring clocks, he really went out of his way to make sure he could still find solace in emailing family and friends through aided technological additions. He applied this same cunning attitude to anything else he could still partake in with his stature, this was almost always just finding ways to create happiness in the people he loved, a passion he’s had since day one.

Throughout thick and thin, sickness and in health, he was blessed to have the unconditional love and support of his wife, Joan. He was blessed with his children, Marina, David and Robbie, who he always supported in their own individual endeavours.
And in his later years, his six wonderful grandchildren, who he cherished and in their own way, contributed to his happiness.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the "blind foundation" would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Service Information: Date: Time: Location: 29/04/2022 2:00 p.m. Gee & Hickton Corner Knights Road and Cornwall Street Lower Hutt Lower Hutt