By WAYNE THOMPSON
Buddy Lucas left Piha for the last time yesterday, in the Westpac Rescue Helicopter that was his partner in saving lives at the West Auckland beach.
The helicopter circled twice over the village and lines of surf before disappearing over the hills to deliver Mr Lucas' coffin to Waikumete Cemetery.
Watching were about 500 mourners who had gathered at the Piha Surf Life Saving Club to pay their respects to the former national swimming champion and doyen of lifeguards.
Mr Lucas, named Frederick after his All Black father, died on Friday after a short illness. He was 71.
It came as a shock to his mates in the club's "Grey Patrol" of veterans, who yesterday stood in the guard of honour as the Lucas family carried the coffin to the helicopter.
"Buddy was so fit - he was our top patrolman last year," said Rodger Curtice, a friend and lifeguard.
He said that since Mr Lucas retired to Piha 10 years ago he had continued a lifetime of dedication to protecting people and the beach.
In the early 1970s, when Mr Lucas was Piha club president, he used his influence to push for a jetboat and helicopter for rescue work.
Mr Curtice said his friend was modest about his achievements, including winning medals for swimming at two Empire Games.
At the 1950 games in Auckland, he was a member of the 4 x 200m freestyle relay team which won a gold medal.
He also won bronze in the 400m and 1500m freestyle events, and at the 1954 games in Vancouver, he won silver in the 3 x 100m medley relay.
Mr Lucas is survived by daughter Liane, sons Brad and Greg and five grandchildren.
Rescuers salute Piha's local hero
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.