Obituary: Leonard Edward Speir

Len Speir was a life member of both Tauranga Musical Theatre and Musical Theatre New Zealand and helped many societies and organisations in the community with his fiscal knowledge. Photo/file.

Leonard Edward Speir: October 12, 1925 - October 30, 2017

Leonard Edward Speir was waiting in the wings for his final curtain call when the first reviews started landing.

It was 8.19pm on October 30, and Len was at Tauranga Hospital with his family. His 92nd birthday was two weeks earlier.

"Thanks for the memories," one person wrote.

"Always gracious, wise and courteous," said another.

The tributes kept coming. Len's son John had let everyone know via Facebook that it was near the end for his dad and then shared their loving words with him.

"I will never forget Len's smiling face all the way back as a 10-year-old in Les Mis," someone said. "Nothing has changed. You are a wonderful man."

For a theatre devotee, these were the bouquets of flowers being thrown on to stage as he bowed out and the lights dimmed.

At 2.43am the next morning, John updated everyone that Len had "slipped away peacefully between drinks" late the night before.

People continued to post memories and compliments.

"A true Tauranga icon and generous contributor of time, knowledge, friendship and warmth. He had a full and worthwhile life alongside folk who admired and adored him."

Len's daughter Anne said this week that the family were completely blown away at the attendance of Len's funeral service and the love for him from the community.

She said her dad was very generous, a true gentleman and a caring spirit.

"And that showed all through his life. We're going to miss him greatly, but we all have such gorgeous memories of him."

Anne said Len's knowledge of theatre was "phenomenal".

He was a life member of both Tauranga Musical Theatre and Musical Theatre New Zealand and even met his wife Nola McCaw at a show.

It was a performance of The Belle of New York, put on by the Hamilton Operatic Society. Len and Nola then went to a ball together, and that was it.

They married on December 17, 1949, and would go on to share a lifelong interest in musical theatre and have four children together: David, John, Anne and Wendy.

Len was born in Ngaruawahia and grew up with his mum and dad, Vera and Skip Speir, and his sister Melva.

After his schooling at Ngaruawahia High School and Hamilton Technical College, he enlisted with the Royal New Zealand Navy and served 18 months as a signalman (1944-45), which included sailing to Britain.

John said good timing meant his dad missed the war and instead found the time to study accounting.

After leaving the navy, Len worked as a cost accountant in Hamilton and joined the Society of Accountants in 1947.

He would be a member for 70 years and was made a fellow associate chartered accountant in 1977 for his service to the profession.

Len and Nola moved to Tauranga soon after marrying when Len accepted a job - which came with a house - as an accountant to the then Tauranga County Council.

He later worked as an accountant and secretary for a private firm and then was offered a full partnership in the accounting firm Murray Crossman and Partners, now Staples Rodway. He worked there for 60 years.

Len developed a particular interest in farm accounting.

John said his dad encouraged other advisers to help the dairy farming community on Matakana Island grapple with the complex issues and financing difficulties of living on an island while farming Maori land under multiple ownership.

He said Len was instrumental in persuading the dairy company to collect whole milk from the farmers who previously only sent cream to the mainland.

One of the messages shared on the night Len died was from his "Matakana whanau".

It said: "He was held in high regard not only as a business partner but also a true friend as he advised and guided our dairy farming families to build a pathway toward a better future for the next generations.

"He was a humble man of integrity and knowledge dedicated to helping our Maori farming community of Matakana Island. He will always be remembered in our thoughts and prayers."

The tribute closed with "Every goodbye is the birth of a memory. Haere atu ra e hoa!"

Len and Nola built a house in what became the Avenues in Tauranga in 1956, and the family lived there for 60 years.

John said his dad always considered his biggest achievement to be his marriage, children and his love of his job.

"He was a warm, generous, open, humble, knowledgeable man who acted with integrity."

Len retired as a partner in 1991 but continued as a consultant until 2015, retiring fully at age 90.

He continued advising a family trust up until a few weeks before he died.

Len was also heavily involved in the community, helping many societies and organisations with his fiscal knowledge.

He was an avid tennis player and was the president of the Tauranga Lawn Tennis Club for 30 years.

He was also a member of Rotary for more than 30 years and served a term as president.

It is little wonder then that so many tributes came flooding in for Len during his final moments and for many hours afterwards.

John said the family shared those kind words with him and held his hand.

"Your hearing is the very last thing to go, you know, so as somebody's body is shutting down, you keep talking to them.

"We played him some of his favourite show tunes and he slipped quietly away."

- Scott Yeoman