Family share happy memories of Jakarta bomb victim

Tim Mackay. Photo / Supplied

Family, friends and colleagues said goodbye to New Zealander Tim Mackay, killed in last week's Jakarta hotel terrorist bombing, at his funeral in Wellington.

The 62-year-old president of the Swiss-owned Holcim Indonesia cement company died in hospital after a bomb exploded at the JW Marriott hotel last Friday, killing nine people and wounding 53.

Mr Mackay's private funeral was held at Old St Paul's in Thorndon yesterday.

A media statement, issued on behalf of his family, detailed the tributes given by family, friends and colleagues at the funeral. His brother John talked about Mr Mackay's childhood.

Former employee Nick Kerr talked of his experiences working in Fiji when Mr Mackay was CEO of Fiji Industries and Basic Industries.

Eamon Ginley, who worked with Mr Mackay as manufacturing director at Holcim Indonesia, reflected on his recent work in Indonesia and the legacy he put in place for Holcim.

Among those attending the funeral, conducted by celebrant Kevin Nelson, were a representative from the Indonesian Embassy and commissioners, directors, employees, and former employees from Indonesia.

His family acknowledged the support and messages they had received from throughout New Zealand and around the world.

They said Mr Mackay was a quiet man with a mischievous sense of humour who was dedicated to his family.

He was like a father figure to those he worked with, they said.

The family have thanked the Indonesian people for their support, and Mr Mackay's colleagues and friends who helped repatriate his body.

Mr Mackay was with a group of men at a breakfast table in a lounge just off the Marriott hotel's lobby when the bomb went off.

Those closest to the doorway the suicide bomber used to enter the room, Mr Mackay and three Australians - trade official Craig Senger, human resources manager Nathan Verity and mining executive Garth McEvoy - were killed, as was Indonesian head waiter Evert Mokodompit.

The most seriously injured survivor, Dutchman Max Boon, aged in his 30s, was sitting near the entrance.

- NZPA