Norm Berryman died of a suspected heart attack. Photo / File
Norm Berryman died of a suspected heart attack. Photo / File
The tangi for Northland rugby icon Norm Berryman will be held tomorrow afternoon in Perth.
The Northland stalwart's body is lying at Lansdale Rd in Perth and family has extended a welcome to everyone who would like to pay their respects at the address. He will be buried at 1pmtomorrow at Pinnarroo Memorial Grounds.
Northland rugby will be represented at the funeral by former New Zealand Maori coach, and Taniwha captain and coach Donny Stevenson, who now lives in Perth.
Berryman's family decided to have his funeral in Western Australia so he could be close to them, despite calls from some for his body to be brought to New Zealand.
The 42-year-old father of six died of a suspected heart attack early last week after returning from Italy, where he took part in a tribute match for Jerry Collins.
A three-times Super Rugby championship winner with the Crusaders, All Blacks and New Zealand Maori representative, Berryman called Perth home since 2006. He lived in Marangaroo, a suburb about 18km north of Perth city, played third grade for Kalamunda's premiership-winning team in 2009 and maintained an association with the club when he started coaching his son Terrell at Wanneroo.
Berryman's friend and Northlander Nigel Cooper was among those who visited the grieving family on Friday evening. Both Mr Cooper and Josh Heke, who accompanied him, are coaches at Kalamunda rugby club. Mr Heke and Berryman played together in France.
"He was a character who got on with everyone ... he was quite a laugh,' said Mr Cooper, who hails from Moerewa and moved to Perth in 1986.
An online Give a Little page created by the Wanneroo Club - where Berryman coached for several seasons - had raised $14,415 from 135 donors by yesterday morning to help his family.
The club is also fundraising for his family by holding a sausage sizzle and cake stall.
Norm is survived by his wife Leena and six children, Terrell, Tatiana, Laytarjae, Shyah and twin daughters Cairo and Kaya.
