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Home / New Zealand

The words 'faith, hope, love' tattooed on Tony McClean's back (+photos)

NZ Herald
22 Apr, 2008 04:10 AM3 mins to read

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Mourners gather for the funeral of Anthony Mulder (inset). Photo / Greg Bowker

Mourners gather for the funeral of Anthony Mulder (inset). Photo / Greg Bowker

Photo GalleryFloyd Fernandes' funeral

Photo GalleryPortia McPhail, Tom Hsu and Natasha Bray's funerals

Photo GalleryCanyoning tragedy

Photo GalleryThe seven victims

KEY POINTS:

Hundreds of friends and family have farewelled teacher Tony McClean at the Elim Christian Centre this afternoon.

They also packed the school assembly hall and auditorium where a CCTV broadcast was projected on the wall.

Mr McClean and six students were swept away by the swollen Mangatepopo River one week ago.

The service began with Mr McClean's casket carried in to music by U2, and also featured a hip-hop music video by his band the Fat Monks.

Many at the service carried flower arrangements and were greeted at the door by an usher handing out the order of service.

The front cover showed Mr McClean in a wetsuit with a surfboard on a golden sandy beach, while on the back, Mr McClean is pictured on a snowy mountainside.

Mr McClean's mum and dad - John and Jeanette - read a eulogy that spanned their son's life.

They told the congregation that their son loved reading and sports and later hiked through Nepal and helped in a Mother Teresa hospital in Calcutta.

"No one should ever have to bury their child but it happens and our lives will be changed forever by this," Mr McClean said.

He said Tony had the words "faith, hope and Love" tattooed on his back.

It was these words which epitomised Mr McClean's life, said friend and band member Jono Ward.

He said Mr McClean loved summer, beaches and camping.

Mr Ward recalled Mr McClean's love of surfing that on one occasion made him late for a friend's wedding.

"He was always first in the water and the last one out," Mr Ward said.

Reverend Digby Wilkinson led the service and said Tony pushed himself and others to get the best out of life.

He talked about Mr McClean's qualities as a leader and teacher.

This morning student Anthony Mulder was buried next to friend and fellow victim Floyd Fernandes.

Anthony's father John spoke of great memories with his son on camping, tramping and fishing trips.

"I'm so going to miss those days out on the water with you, not that we ever posed much of a threat to the fish," Mr Mulder said.

His mother Miriam said, "He was boy, a man, our son and had a very special serving heart."

Family and friends packed the school's chapel to farewell the 16-year-old while another 150 people watched the service on a big screen in the school gym.

Earlier, hundreds of friends joined Anthony's family for his funeral at the Manukau Memorial Gardens at 9.30am.

The school described Anthony as "a talented boy who recently represented our school at the Rotary RYPEN Leadership Camp".

"He loved the outdoors and loved his sports. He was a fun person with a great sense of humour and he loved to cook. He lived to serve the Lord especially through children's ministries."

Funerals have already been held for Floyd Fernandes, Portia McPhail, Tom Hsu and Natasha Bray and Tara Gregory will be farewelled tomorrow.

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Opinion

Your thoughts and tributes on the river tragedy

15 Apr 08:12 PM
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