Family, fishing and fire-fighting were the things that defined Greytown's deputy fire chief Reece De Menech, who died on Friday after a three-year battle with cancer.
Mr De Menech's funeral was held yesterday at Greytown Fire Station, and hundreds turned out to pay their respects. Tributes were given by hisfamily, Ngawi Fishing Club and the Greytown Fire Brigade, before a guard of honour was formed.
His children spoke about his sense of humour, while fishermen told stories of how he had won his last competition.
Fire chief Harry Howard said Mr De Menech had been made an honorary life member of the brigade a few weeks ago, an award usually reserved for those who were leaving the brigade or who had earned their Gold Star for 25 years' service.
Mr De Menech served for 20 years, and attended meetings as recently as last week.
"It was just a sense that's what he held out for," Mr Howard said. "He's fought a pretty hard, valiant battle. "He's just loved by every member through Wairarapa ... he just does things completely unselfishly," he said.
The last call for Mr De Menech was made at the funeral, before the coffin was put on a vintage fire truck and the fire-fighters paraded down Main St.
"You can pretty much guarantee his last call isn't going out to a house fire, it's going out fishing," Mr Howard said.
