A Masterton man who helped build a small Wairarapa bus company into the second largest transport company in New Zealand has died at the age of 91.
Albert William Snelgrove, known as Bert, died on Sunday at Lansdowne Court surrounded by his family.
The eldest of six children, Bert grew up in
Wairarapa, and served abroad in World War II before coming home to join the family bus business.
That business, originally named the Grey Bus Service, was started by his father, Albert, in 1924 and served the Carterton-Masterton route.
In 1931 the name was changed to the Royal Blue Bus Service, then the Blue Bus Company, before the final name change to Tranzit Coachlines in 1985.
Bert's son and company director Paul Snelgrove said his father sold him his shares in the company in 1980, but remained a director till the day he died.
"He wanted to know how things were ... and was still very on-to-it and interested in how the business was going."
He said his father was a "top guy" who was happy for his family to take the company's reigns.
"Few fathers could step aside and let their sons do what they wanted to with the business, but he did."
He said Bert had helped take the company from 24 buses in 1980 to over 500 vehicles nationally today, and with offices in Wellington, Palmerston North, Wanganui and New Plymouth as well as Masterton.
Bert's younger brother John Snelgrove said yesterday Bert was a good man whom he enjoyed going away on holiday with or hosting at his Taupo home.
He said Bert had long been involved with Rotary, as well as being a keen bowler, who had lived in Essex St before moving to Lansdowne, where he lived for many years.
Bert Snelgrove is survived by wife Alma and four children, as well as 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held tomorrow at 1.30pm at Tranzit Bus Depot, 316 Queen St, Masterton, followed by a private cremation.
