Gordon Murray, former fire chief of the Ruawai Volunteer Fire Brigade, died on January 7, aged 99.
Murray was one of eight foundation members of the brigade when it was formed in May 1953, and served his community as a firefighter for 31 years including 20 as Chief Fire Officer.
He retired from the brigade in 1984 when he reached the then compulsory retirement age of 65.
As the first fire station wasn't built until 1958, he housed the town's first fire pump at the Shell garage he operated.