FAREWELL: Sister-in-law Kerry Croton (waving), with Graham Croton's daughter Donna Clark, farewells the hearse.
FAREWELL: Sister-in-law Kerry Croton (waving), with Graham Croton's daughter Donna Clark, farewells the hearse.
Graham Croton has repaired his last broken item, painted the last board, and placed his last cobble.
Funeral celebrant Barry Sims spoke of a man who can finally "lay down his tools and take your rest" at the service for Mr Croton under the trees at Cobblestones Museum.
Mr Croton,fondly known as "Mr Cobblestones", was farewelled by family and around 150 people yesterday morning.
He died at his home on Sunday, aged 73.
He had been involved in the creation of Cobblestones in 1969 as a member of Greytown Jaycees and was still active until last December, greeting tour parties in his trademark top hat and tails.
People at the service were greeted with Neil Diamond's Song Sung Blue, with Beahttps://zen.nzherald.co.nz/v2/images/datepicker.pngtles tracks Yesterday and The Long and Winding Road featuring with the tributes and prayers.
Mr Sims said among the sorrow, the morning celebrated "an exceptional man with exceptional talents", who left behind a legacy the community and his family could be proud of.
Mr Croton was taken to Clareville for a private cremation.
