Broadcaster and 'friend to all' farewelled

Mourners comfort each other after the funeral service for broadcaster Graeme Moody at Old St Paul's in Wellington today. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Broadcaster Graeme Moody had his life in perspective, rugby commentator John McBeth reckons - he loved his work and it gave him the means to do what he wanted.

And that was spend time with wife Bev, with family, with friends and, of course, to surf.

But it was that love of surfing that took his life two weeks ago at Angourie Beach, on the far north coast of New South Wales.

It was a place he and Bev had holidayed every year for up to three decades.

On the eve of the end of a month-long holiday, he jumped off rocks, his board became trapped and, just like that, a man who was full of life - a "frother" as he was described to brother John by another surfer - was gone.

Today, mourners packed Old Saint Pauls in Wellington to farewell a husband, a brother, an uncle, a colleague - and a friend to all, whatever their relationship.

Moody's boss at The Radio Network, Jason Pine, summed him up when he said: "Everyone wanted to be like Moods."

Pine encouraged mourners to take a leaf out of Moody's book by realising that having no cellphone coverage wasn't a bad thing, that email could wait and that a 15-year-old work experience student should be given the same respect as a prime minister.

They should also "smile all day at everyone", as Moody had done.

Moody was radio's voice of rugby and had covered many of New Zealand's most memorable sporting moments during the past three decades. He had amazing stories to tell of places his job had taken him but didn't tell them unless pressed - he was a "rare being, someone who never talked about how good he was", Pine said.

Last week his colleagues found an award he had won in 2007. It was still in its wrapper, under his desk, such was his humility.

Former All Black and rugby commentator Murray Mexted told mourners how his surf-mate had "buggered up the script" of him, Moody and Bev growing old together.

"For me he was simply the best, as the song goes," said Mexted, dressed in an Hawaiian shirt and jeans.

"He got me and I got him. To me he was my surf mate."

Moody was always on the go but he was also a man who understood his priorities - the foremost of which was Bev.

"Moo and Bev together, they were at peace," he said.

"I miss you, Moo, but I know you died at peace with life and yourself."

John Moody told the mourners, many of them noted Wellington and New Zealand sportsmen and broadcasters, that his family had been blown away by the size of Moody's fan club.

"Graeme would have been embarrassed by the fuss," he said.

Moody's commentaries made him a household name for many, such as the West Coasters seen toasting him in Wellington this week ; they didn't know him but patchy television coverage meant it was Moody's voice that brought many rugby games to them.

But his loss is, of course, greatest for his family. Four nieces and nephews paid tribute, two by penning poems to a beloved uncle and friend.

Nephew Sam: "You were my uncle and, always, my idol."

As Moody's casket was carried from the church to the hearse, a haka performed by sportsmen and broadcasters rung out.

A final tribute to a man described by his wife as "60 going on 18"