Waikino community figure Homer Stubbs remembered

Homer Stubbs outside the Waikino home he lived in for 82 years. Photo by Sally Gibbs.

Second to family, Homer Stubbs' main motivation was service to his Waikino community.

''He wanted to make a difference, he was always wanting the best for everyone and everything in his district,'' says wife Bev.

Homer passed away on March 28 and a funeral service was held on Monday where friends, family and community honoured his life and long list of service to Waikino and Waihi.

Homer, 85, had lived in the same farmhouse in Waikino since he was three. He spent his working life on the family farm, then met Bev, and they raised their children there. Bev still lives in the turn-of-the-century farmhouse.

When Homer's history is looked over, a common thread is being humble.

''He would never ever blow his own trumpet, it was not his style. People knew him for his manner, his integrity and how he conducted himself,'' Bev says.

Homer was surprised when he received the be awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community in the 2009 New Year honours.

''I feel very honoured,'' he had said. "But for anyone who lives somewhere more than 70 years and has some sense of community spirit, it's inevitable to get involved.''

''Getting involved'' included nearly 30 years on the now-defunct Waikino Domain Board, with many years of chairing the Waikino Liaison Committee after its inception in the 1980s, and more than 30 years of service on the Victoria Hall Committee.

He was on the Waikino School committee for a decade and was determined to keep the school open when the roll dwindled to just nine children. The school remained open and Homer co-organised its centenary celebrations in 2007.

Homer was instrumental in getting a new post office for Waikino after the flood of 1981 swept away most of the village's buildings.

Homer had been a local justice of the peace since 1973 and was president of the Hauraki JP Association. His other hats include marriage celebrant, Waihi Community Vision community representative, Waihi Veterinary Club member, Rotary Club of Waihi member, Thames Valley cricket representative and he helped establish and resurrect the Waikino Tennis Club.

In 2008, he was awarded a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship and received a Hauraki District Council citizen's award for his service to the community in 2006.

Bev says he was very much and admired, and was a friend to many.

''He was a great role model for his children and I think they have modelled their lives on his examples and teachings.''

- Additional reporting Sally Gibbs