Born and raised in Rotorua, he moved to Australia in the 1960s when The Sheratons were a household name. Despite living in Australia since, he maintained a strong connection locally.
In August 2016, he returned home to be officially awarded Vietnam War medals from the New Zealand Defence Force by former military man and then New Zealand First deputy leader Ron Mark.
The ceremony was held at the Rotorua Citizen’s Club before a packed crowd of family and friends.
His medals were awarded for the group’s risky role of entertaining soldiers in Vietnam in the 1960s at army bases in the middle of gunfire and bombings.
Ransfield and fellow band members Terri Sorenson and the late Len “Shifty” Ropeta Ransfield (represented at the ceremony by his son, Leonard Ropeta Ransfield) were awarded the medals.
The Defence Force said at the time it acknowledged Kiwis such as humanitarian workers, support staff and entertainers who played crucial roles during the Vietnam War for more than 30 days between 1965 and 1972.
Rongo (Ronnie) Ransfield (left) was a member of the famous Māori showband, The Sheratons. Photo / Supplied
The Sheratons performed for the American forces and on bases across East Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Malaya and Hong Kong.
At his Rotorua ceremony, Ransfield said: “I have been gone so long but this is always home.”
Ransfield is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and three children.
His wife told the Gold Coast Bulletin after his death that her husband enjoyed helping people, and he was responsible for holding many benefit concerts and fundraisers for people in need or who had lost loved ones.
Childhood friend John Crean from Rotorua told the Rotorua Daily Post he travelled to the Gold Coast in January to say his goodbyes to Ransfield.
Ronnie Te Rongopai Ransfield, known as Rongo, from the hit Māori showband The Sheratons, died in Australia on March 6. Photo / Supplied
He described him as being “a showman to the end”.
After his music career eased off, Ransfield became a car salesman in Australia.
Crean described his friend as “a generous man” who would help a lot of Māori families on the Gold Coast.
He fondly recalled the years growing up in Rotorua with Ransfield and other showband legends.
“There was no television, 6pm closings and all we had were parties together, and the guitars would come out. It was a great time, and I was lucky to be part of that era.”
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.
