Beachlands farewells 'Plumb Crazy' community stalwart

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The Beachlands community turned out in force yesterday to farewell a father of three killed in a freak cycling accident.

Antony David Chapman, known as Tony, was riding with a friend early on Tuesday morning on Whitford-Maraetai Rd when he hit a rock and flew over his handlebars.

The 48-year-old suffered severe head injuries, despite wearing a helmet, and died at the scene.

Brian Gower, the principal of the Beachlands School attended by Mr Chapman's three daughters, said the plumber was "a role model for dads here in Beachlands".

He remembered seeing Mr Chapman wait for his two eldest daughters to finish school with his youngest daughter.

"And he'd be out there playing with her - and he's a big guy. So you imagine him playing with a little preschooler. It looked just wonderful."

If there was ever any plumbing issue at the school Mr Chapman and his purple "Plumb Crazy" van was only a phone call away: "He'd drop things and be here."

The Manukau Memorial Gardens Chapel was completely packed yesterday, he said. "It just shows the impact he has had on people's lives, and the high regard they hold him in."

Mr Gower said the accident had left people reeling. "That's what sort of gutted everybody. It was so unexpected".

Henri Habraken, a long-time friend, said the "gentle giant" dedicated countless hours to his daughters' sporting pursuits.

"He was a rugby player. But of course his daughters played netball, so he was on the sideline helping with that. And he'd find out about it so he would have something to say, so he knew how to help them."

The keen fisherman also coached at the Beachlands Maraetai Soccer Club, where his daughters played.

Each of the club's teams will honour Mr Chapman with black armbands and a minute's silence before games today.

Mr Chapman had taken to cycling only in the past four or five years, Mr Habraken said.

"His wife spoke of that. How over the last few years they've had more time to do that together. And that was a great part of their relationship."

In an obituary, Mr Chapman's mother Mary paid tribute to him and said she would miss his weekly phone calls.

"There was never a more caring and compassionate person that a mother could ever have. You led your life to the fullest."

Mr Chapman is survived by his wife Jenny and daughters Brooke, Kelsie and Shannon.