When Sid Bentley died he may have been broken in spirit, heart and body, but he died surrounded by friends.
Today, he was farewelled in a simple but sincere memorial service at Ashburton's New Life Church by the people who had become his support network over the past five years.
Church members spoke of a man few knew, a man who loved to talk, who had a rich past in the merchant navy and a man who above all else, loved his family.
Since his daughter Kirsty was murdered in late December 1989, Mr Bentley had lived with the knowledge that some people questioned his involvement in her death, but with the church, his friends said he gained an unquestioning acceptance.
