"Leslie would have liked a party not a funeral," it said.
An online post from Gelberger's widow, Laura McLeod echoed the request.
"Leslie went to more funerals than he liked growing up and always thought a party with lots of cake would be a better choice," she wrote.
McLeod earlier told the Herald her husband was "the world" to the couple's sons, 7 and 5.
"They are absolutely devastated and struggling to come to terms with what has happened," McLeod said.
"I have lost my best friend, the best father to my boys and the most amazing, kindest, positive and adventurous person I have ever known."
A Givealittle page set up to help the family had raised almost $43,000 this afternoon.
In an update on the page McLeod thanked all those who had donated.
"This horrific, awful, terrible, life-shattering event has been made more bearable due to the unending support from so many people," it read.
"I have read and cried over each and every comment and will be saving the stories for the boys when they are older so they can know just how great their dad really was.
"There are no words to adequately express my gratitude, we knew we had found an amazing place living here in New Zealand, but we really didn't know how lucky we were."
Police today said their investigation into the man's death was ongoing and no new information could be released.
Ports of Auckland communications manager Matt Ball said police had completed their investigation of the pilot boat believed to be involved but it was not yet back in use.
He said the company had not been updated by the police on the investigation.
The skipper of the boat had not yet returned to work, he said.
