Former Kaitāia College principal William Tailby remembered for his compassion

Kaitāia College students formed a guard of honour for former principal William Tailby prior to his funeral at the college on Thursday.

William Ernest Tailby, who died suddenly and unexpectedly on May 20, spent much of his life at Kaitāia College, and it was at the school that he was farewelled on Thursday.

He was a student there for five years from 1965, as head boy and dux in his final year, returning as a teacher (1975-84), then again in 1987, as a teacher, dean, deputy principal, and finally principal, until he retired in 2015.

Jack Saxon, who succeeded him as principal, said his predecessor had described the role as the best job in the world. He had certainly left the school, and the community, with a lasting legacy.

The "respectful, incredibly intelligent young man", as he had been described by those who taught him, had devoted his life to nurturing and championing some 10,000 young people with compassion and understanding, and a belief that every individual deserved the opportunity to succeed.

Former principal John Locke also remembered his old friend and colleague's compassion; "he was a good lad".

"He is with us in all our memories," he said.

Son Mathew told the congregation that such was his admiration for his father that it had never occurred to him that he was a mere mortal.

"However, I find solace in the fact that [when he died] he was with close friends and his soulmate, doing what he loved on a beautiful day in the place loved," he added.

"Ultimately his was a life lived well, helping others, and in this way he has left a legacy that we his children and mokopuna can aspire to."