He was crafty on the cricket pitch and in his day one of the quickest pace bowlers around, but stumps have been drawn on the life of Rotorua's Hirabhai (Harry) Unka.
The softly spoken man often let his actions do the talking but he passed away peacefully at his home in Rotorua on Friday last week. He was 69.
Mr Unka was born in Karadi, in the western Indian state of Gujarat, on June 1, 1943, the third child and only son of Unkabhai Kalidas and Nandiben.
His second son, Sanjay Unka, provided The Daily Post with some of his father's history.
"Hirabhai excelled in his younger years both on the sports field and classroom, attending Gharda College, where he obtained a BA in languages majoring in Gujarati, English, economics and psychology.
"He was also given the honour of captaining his university side in cricket, volleyball and hockey."
During that time he was selected to trial for Maharashtra State to play in the prestigious Ranji Trophy competition.
However, a family illness curtailed his Indian cricketing career.
In 1968 he migrated to New Zealand and soon after married Savitaben Dheda in October that year.
"Rotorua was the place Hirabhai decided to call home.
"Between family life and his jobs as factory supervisor at Kilwell Sports - where he worked for 42 years - and bar work at the Palace Tavern during the evenings he still found time to pursue his most loved passion, cricket."
After rising through the ranks he eventually played 25 first-class matches for Northern Districts between 1968 and 1975.
Sanjay said his father told him some of this most memorable moments were bowling Rotorua Boys' High School out for just five runs, taking an impressive 10 wickets for just 16 runs in a Rotorua senior cricket match and taking six wickets for 67 runs against Otago.
He also played against touring teams from India and Pakistan and in more recent times he played alongside his three sons in the annual Indian cricket tournament.
"He was extremely proud to represent Rotorua, not just in the sporting arena, but also as an active member of the community.
"I really miss playing with him, he didn't go easy on us, even in the backyard.
"I remember getting lectures from him after I got out ... he just loved the game and played up until his mid 50s," Sanjay said.
Mr Unka received a community service award from former Rotorua Mayor Grahame Hall in 2003.
As well, Mr Unka was past president of the Bay of Plenty (Rotorua) Indian Association and Indian Sports Club.
A memorial service was held for him at the Distinction Hotel on Tuesday.
He is survived by his wife, Savitaben, and his three sons Prakash, Sanjay and Manoj.