Obituary: Whanganui advocate Gary Reid was a man for the people

Gary Reid supported beneficiaries and low-income people in Whanganui for 20 years. Photo / Doug Davidson RCP

When anyone in Whanganui needed support with benefit or budgetary concerns during the past 20 years they often got it from Gary Reid.

The former manager of the Whanganui Peoples Centre in Ridgway St died peacefully in Whanganui Hospital on May 17.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer in January and continued to work part-time at the centre even after Sharon Semple was appointed as manager in early April.

Reid, who had worked at Hannah's shoe factory since he moved to Whanganui in the early 1990s, had lost his job when the business closed.

With support from MPs Sue Bradford and Tariana Turia he opened the Whanganui Peoples Centre in 1999.

Working without pay for the first 18 months, Reid remained on a benefit until funding was secured and over the years he has kept the service going while similar agencies in larger cities have folded.

Reid's "partner in crime" Jodie Karaitiana and her mother, Judy, assisted him in supporting thousands of people needing their help.

Jodie Karaitiana and Elizabeth Sanson continue to work with new manager Semple.

Although he never sought recognition for his work, Reid was nominated for several awards including the Wanganui Chronicle person of the year in 2010.

Reid greeted news of his cancer diagnosis with pragmatism, saying that he was "pleased to be given notice" and the opportunity to put his affairs in order and arrange his funeral.

He even held a "going away" party at the Wanganui Cosmopolitan Club in February and guests included Work and Income staff who he built good relationships with over the years.

The continuation of the Peoples Centre was also uppermost in his mind.

His funeral and life celebration was held at the Cleveland Chapel in Ingestre St on Tuesday.

Reid had requested that donations be made to the Peoples Centre in lieu of flowers.

Sharon Semple says she has "big shoes to fill" and has had to hit the ground running during her first weeks in the role.