KEY POINTS:
Alan Johansen lived for his family, his work and the ocean.
The 49-year-old husband and father of three, who died while snorkelling with friends at Mahia, will be farewelled at a service at St Peter's Church in Wairoa today.
Well regarded in Wairoa, Mahia and Gisborne, Mr Johansen was one of four people to die within 35 minutes on Wednesday along the country's coast and in rivers.
The cause of his death has yet to be determined, but he was seen struggling in the water at the peninsula, south of Gisborne, before climbing on to a rock clutching his chest.
By the time his friends got to him, he had fallen back in the water and was unresponsive.
A self-employed drainlayer and plumber, Mr Johansen was born and lived in nearby Wairoa and was well-known there and in the surrounding communities.
His eldest daughter, Emma Johansen, 24, said her father had "a wicked laugh" and was known for his funny sayings, often calling people "cobber" or "cob".
"He was known by all walks of life. No matter who you were, he had time for everyone" and was held in high regard in Wairoa, Mahia and Gisborne, she said.
Mr Johansen was the president of the Gisborne district's Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers and a justice of the peace.
He was also an active member of the Waikaremoana Masonic Lodge.
He was involved with local schools and refereed school and club rugby, and in his younger days, played representative rugby for Hawkes Bay.
He was a keen duckshooter and fisherman, and enjoyed snorkelling and diving for paua, pipi and crayfish.
He was also dedicated to his job, working "not your standard 40-hour week" and enjoying close relationships with his two employees, Miss Johansen said.
But while Mr Johansen worked hard, he always had time for his wife, Leslie, and his children, sister-in-law Julie Herbert said.
Mahia publican Diana Symes said the peninsula's only plumber would be sorely missed.
She said he was extremely proud of his children and the last time she saw him, he brought the family in for dinner and told her how great it was spending time with them.
Miss Johansen said the dinner had been on Christmas Eve and she agreed her dad was enthusiastic about the accomplishments of her, her brother Craig, 21, and sister Sarah, 16.
"He'd have no trouble skiting off about us," she said.
A death notice the family put in the local newspaper reads, "Holidays at Mahia will never be the same again, cobber."
