Well loved firefighter farewelled

Possibly New Zealand's oldest former fireman, Wanganui's Ray McNeil, was honoured with one last ride on a fire engine last week.
Mr McNeil, who died aged 101, was carried to the crematorium from Dempsey and Forrest's funeral home on a vintage fire engine, with permission from the New Zealand Fire Service.
Mr NcNeil was born in Wanganui in 1909 and lived in the city all his life. He joined the Wanganui Fire Brigade in 1928 and served for 31 years before retiring aged 50.
It was not surprising, since he was related to George Spriggens, who helped found the Wanganui Volunteer Fire Brigade and later became captain.
At Mr McNeil's funeral, his grandchildren spoke of their grandfather as full of fun and adventure, charming, adventurous, and famous for his peanut brownies in later life.
He was the guy who went up the tall ladder in the days before respirators and flameproof suits, his grandson Gregor said.
He recalled one near miss his grandfather had while on the job - he was the "hose man" on the roof of the Royal Wanganui Opera House, when he slipped.
He would have gone over the side but was saved when a nail caught the elastic in his pants.
Gregor said his grandfather was very proud of his 25-year star. It was a good tour of duty to serve for 31 years, he said.
Mr McNeil and his wife Jean (Rose) were part of the 125th Firefighting Centennial in 1991. Accompanied in by a pipe band, he was given the honour of cutting the cake.
In the last few years of his life, a fire crew, complete with fire engine, would visit Mr McNeil on his birthday at Nazareth rest home. For his 101st birthday, he and his children Lynette and Kelvin were taken for a ride on the engine.
Mr McNeil's granddaughter Amanda said she remembered thinking her grandfather was a "walking sweetie shop" as a child. He was an inspiration to all of them, and seemed to have cracked the code to living a long and healthy life: keep busy doing the things you love and have fun, she said.
Mr McNeil was cremated on Friday, March 11.