Emotional farewell to a gentle man

ONE LAST ALARM: Firefighters paid tribute to their much-respected colleague Terry Tepania with a guard of honour outside the Ahipara station on Saturday.

The respect and affection that John Terrence (Terry) Tepania earned over the 63 years before he lost his battle with his final illness last week was displayed on Saturday when an enormous congregation farewelled him at Ahipara.

After the funeral the casket was carried aboard a fire appliance for one last drive past the Ahipara fire station, where an honour guard of firefighters paid their respects as the siren was sounded.

The opportunity to say one last goodbye was also offered to one of Mr Tepania's dogs, a three-legged fox terrier by the name of Roxy, whose bark had unfailingly added to the sound of the fire alarm directly across the road, and who was held up to the casket briefly before it continued its journey to the cemetery.

Long-time friend Colin Kitchen said Mr Tepania had been a gentle man, rock solid, the sort of man who went about his business without fuss or fanfare.

"He was a people person, a man who was well respected across all sectors of the community," he added.

"That included the Fire Service and his work at Far North REAP. Whatever the circumstances he just quietly did his job. He could always be relied upon, and whatever he was doing he earned people's respect and friendship.

"He had no enemies that I can think of, and I can honestly say that I never heard a bad word said against him."

Mr Tepania had been a member of the Ahipara Fire Brigade for 33 years, succeeding his long-time mentor Rodger Beatson as officer in charge.

"The brigade is in good heart," Mr Kitchen added, "but now, with Rodger retired and Terry gone, it is time for some of the younger members to step up and take more responsibility."

Meanwhile tributes paid to Mr Tepania via the Northland Age Facebook page included:

Michelle Chapman-Cullen: So sad to hear this news. Gentle, humble man. RIP Terry. Arohanui to your whanau. So sad.

Huia Murray: So sad. A hard-working man, very dedicated. RIP Terry. Your pain is over. Kia kaha Frances, our thoughts are with you and your whanau.

Laurinda MacRae: RIP Mr T..... Arohanui to the whanau. Memories from surf rescue and when I joined Kaitaia Brigade over 20 years ago.

Donna Housham: What a loss to the Far North. RIP Terry. You will be sadly missed.