School recalls pilot as 'great leader'

Jeremy Clarke, pictured with sister Selina, was loved by his co-workers at Liberty Helicopters and was a key member of Rosmini College's 1st XV. Photo / Supplied

When a teenage Jeremy Clarke was faced with kicking the winning penalty two years running for his Rosmini College 1st XV side, his teammates knew they were in good hands.

The vice-captain kicked the penalties in the North Harbour Schools Rugby Championship in 1993 and 1994 that saw Rosmini beat rivals Massey 6-5 in both years.

The first final was won by a penalty kicked from halfway.

On Sunday, aged 33, Mr Clarke was killed after his sightseeing helicopter, with five Italians on board, collided with a small private plane carrying three people. It is believed the plane hit the helicopter from behind, sending both aircraft crashing into the Hudson River in New York.

Mr Clarke's body is one of seven recovered so far. His parents, Roger and Beatrice Clarke, have flown to the Unites States to be with their daughter Selina and Mr Clarke's American fiancee, Danielle.

Rosmini College principal Tom Gerrard said yesterday it was not hard to see why Mr Clarke was such a good pilot.

"I imagine that he was very meticulous and safe. You don't kick a penalty from halfway and not be."

He had no trouble remembering him - aside from his rugby achievements Mr Clarke was the school's head boy in his final year of college and in the 1st XI.

"He showed great leadership and he was from an outstanding, supportive family."

The principal said it was evident from an early stage he was a good student, popular with his peers and respectful of authority.

"He handled his leadership responsibilities with consummate ease," Mr Gerrard said.

"He was in touch with the old boys and would come back after he left school to watch the 1st XV... he put his heart and soul into it."

Many old boys phoned Mr Gerrard yesterday to make sure he knew Mr Clarke had died. Prayers were said for him at assembly and there will be a Mass, to which Old Boys are invited, at the school on Thursday.

Rosmini College classical studies head Ambrose Samuels can remember making the 1st XV when Mr Clarke was in seventh form. "He had a lot of time for everyone and was always willing to help out the younger guys. He was the nicest guy you'd ever met - no one could say a bad word about him.

After they left school Mr Samuels met him again when they were on the same baseball team.

"My phone's been going off today [with people texting] it's just really, really sad."

Mr Clarke began his flying career in 2004 and worked for Liberty Helicopters for 18 months.

The company said he was "loved and respected" by everyone.

"From the moment he came to work with the company he was a part of the Liberty family. He cared about his co-workers and was respectful of everyone. One co-worker commented that you couldn't meet a nicer, more caring person," spokesman Howard Rubenstein said.

Mr Clarke had been in the United States for several years and lived in Lanoka Harbour, New Jersey.

He last visited New Zealand this year.

Cousin Sarah Clarke said he had studied to be a physiotherapist at Auckland University of Technology and then worked at a golf course before heading overseas.

"He made a lot of good friends along the way."

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA