Farewell, Gerry

by Maria Low news@dailypost.co.nz
Some of the cream of the crop of Maori showbands which dominated New Zealand's music scene in the 1960s have gathered at Rotorua's Mataatua Marae to farewell one of their own.

Gerry Merito, a founding member of The Howard Morrison Quartet, was farewelled in Rotorua by about 350 people.

Near the end of the funeral service, Mr Merito's coffin was carried from a marquee outside the Tuhoe marae into the open. The coffin was placed on the ground near the feet of his best friend and singing companion, Sir Howard Morrison, who was joined by some of those who began their careers during the Maori showband era. They sang a medley of the Quartet's greatest hits in honour of their late friend.

Standing beside and behind Sir Howard, the impromptu choir took those at the service on a walk down memory lane with a medley that included Where Have All The Flowers Gone, Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy, White Cliffs Of Dover, and Love Is A Many Splendid Thing.

Sir Howard, in a wheelchair and on a temporary release from Rotorua Hospital where he is recovering from hip surgery, led the medley with backing from friends, whanau and fellow entertainers, including Eddie Low, Frankie Stevens, Tony Williams, Rim D Paul, Solly Pohatu and Paul Walden.

Then the crowd fell silent.

Sir Howard spoke a quiet farewell to his friend in Maori and the coffin was lifted once more and carried to a waiting hearse to the sounds of brass played by some of the musicians Mr Merito had performed with over the years.

Despite the sadness of the occasion, Mr Merito's Rotorua service was as the affable entertainer would have wished it - filled with fun, laughter and music.

Frankie Stevens, former Maori Hi Fives frontman and entertainer, said Mr Merito was a beautiful man who had heart, soul and innovation.

"As well as his musical ability, he was the advanced kind of New Zealand Maori comic. He paved the way for the Billy Ts and the Pio Tereis. He was politically incorrect in a way that made the politicians get the message. Gerry was Howard's right hand man, and he is a great loss."

Mr Merito died on January 26, aged 70.

The service was led by Pastor Bruce Judd.

A second service was to be held in Cambridge at St Andrews Church.

Mr Merito is survived by his wife, Dorothy. They have seven children, 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.