Obituary: Uncle Stevie, 'Just an all-round good guy'

Steven Taewhanake Pearson, pictured in 2013, was a fierce supporter of the Greerton Marist Rugby Club. Photo / File

The story of Steven Taewhanake Pearson, affectionately known as "Uncle Stevie", is deeply interwoven with the Greerton Marist Rugby Club.

Pearson, who died on Monday, joined the club as a child when it was formed in 1961. His allegiance to Greerton never waivered, later becoming a life member.

A man who knew him well, former Greerton Marist president Terry Meredith, said Pearson was well respected by everyone at the club as well as the wider Bay of Plenty rugby community.

"He was a very humble man, a very caring and thoughtful sort of guy who respected everyone. He was not the sort of guy who would have a bad word to say about anyone.

"He was a really good friend and mate to everyone, well respected and like a mentor to a lot of the young players. He just had that whānau connection and was a foundation member of the club."

Meredith said Pearson was club captain for about 10 years and when he stopped playing he moved on to managing teams and helping out around the club.

"He was club captain when I was president, which was when we sort of made our way from the third division into the premier division. He was an important part of that.

"Just the mana he carried, he was fluent in te reo and basically he was our kaumātua. A person like that is hugely important, someone like him is just irreplaceable, his knowledge and his mana. He will be very hard to replace.

"He was always at the club and at all the games he could get to. The players loved him ... he would go into their dressing room, give them talks and mentor them. All through the last 10-15 years he knew the players and they knew him.

"He was very well known around the community. He was a great man really, just an all-round good guy."

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's chief executive Mike Rogers said Uncle Stevie was the voice of reason, rugby and of the people and would be missed by the rugby community.

"A man who lived and breathed Greerton Marist Rugby and could be heard every Saturday morning on Moana Radio - telling it like it is.

"It will be sad to think we have lost such a rugby identity. My thoughts and wishes go out to his whānau at this sad time."

When Greerton Marist posted about Pearson's death on its Facebook page, there was an out-pouring of love in the comments

"Such sad news. Stevie P will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. One of the loveliest guys you will ever meet. So many memories we will treasure forever. Deepest Condolences to all the family," one commenter said.

"The legend of Greerton Athletics. So glad I got to reminisce with Stevie via Bonnie last week. Wonderful memories of a gentle giant with a heart to match. Will miss seeing him at the club rooms. Our thoughts are with the Pearson whanau," said another.

"Such sad news - RIP Stevie p - you were the face and personality of Greerton Marist. Such a lovely man to all those who had the pleasure of knowing you. You will be sadly missed my friend."

Posted by Greerton Marist Recreation & Community SC on Sunday, 14 June 2020

Pearson is survived by his children, mokopuna and his brothers and sisters. He was taken to Huria Marae yesterdayand today,he will be taken to the Greerton Marist Clubrooms.