Crash victim's boss made it easier for family to grieve

Adrian Carlisle Hetet was a well-respected man who loved his family. Photo/File

When the family of Papamoa man Adrian Carlisle Hetet were dealing with his tragic death, they found some solace in seeing how much he was loved by those who knew him.

Hetet, 43, died in a car crash near the intersection with Omanawa Rd in the Kaimais on October 28. He had been travelling back from Putaruru with his wife and 10-year-old son.

"He was just coming home," Hetet's mother Ali Hetet said.

Mrs Hetet, who lived in Manawatu, said in a time of grief and shock the amount of love and respect people had for her son and his family was evident.

Hetet was farewelled at The Legacy Chapel in Pyes Pa with about 600 people attending.

"He was a well-loved and respected man," Mrs Hetet said.

"He was just the awesomest boy, all his life he'd never been trouble," Mrs Hetet said.

It was the lead up to his funeral service however that had left Mrs Hetet and her family in awe.

Hetet had worked for Bayonne Construction for close to 20 years, and when he died, Mrs Hetet said his boss had organised his team to spend their days helping the family rather than working.

She said workers put up marquees, mowed lawns, set up portaloos, hired equipment, cooked and cleaned and more.

"These people just made such a sad time one that you could bear," Mrs Hetet said.

"These people never wanted any praise; they said it's what we want to do ... nothing was too much for them.

"They wanted us to be able to grieve."

Mrs Hetet said it was nice to see "how much love and respect they had for my son".

"These people were like family ... I could see how much love and respect they had for not only my son but also his wife."

Mrs Hetet said her son was a homebody who adored his wife, referring to the couple as "two peas in a pod".

"You can search a whole lifetime to find a love like theirs."

"They just adored each other."

Mrs Hetet said his boss spoke about how Hetet had to read the Bay of Plenty Times newspaper every day and it became a bit of a workplace joke, mainly when he was on his phone claiming to be working.

Hetet joined Bayonne Construction's Hamilton branch about 20 years ago, and owner Steve Baldwin said he had become a "vital part of the company".

Baldwin said Hetet was more than someone who worked for him; he was family.

"He's been with me for 20 years; he was part of our extended family."

"He was a huge loss ... he's helped build the company."

Baldwin said the only thing that went through his mind when he helped was how he could make it easier for the family because "they're going to need a lot of support".

He did not need any thanks from the family because what he did was out of love and not searching for praise.

"It's not a monetary thing."

Describing Hetet as a cheeky but skilled and capable member of the Bayonne family, Baldwin said at work he was simply "the man".