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The family of Air New Zealand pilot Brian Horrell, who was lost off the coast of France when the plane he was in crashed a fortnight ago, remembered him yesterday as the "rock" of the family who loved people and always had a twinkle in his eye.
His 19-year-old daughter Olivia, elder brother Nicol and Air NZ chief Rob Fyfe spoke at an emotional two-hour farewell which ended with tears and hugs, as Brian Horrel's pilot's cap was carried slowly from the memorial room.
Nicol Horrell - a black ribbon pinned to his suit in memory of the brother he was close to - spoke afterwards of the family's terrible shock at losing a man who had always wanted to fly for Air NZ. "In a lot of ways he actually lived his dreams," he said. "He love flying from an early age." "His father loved flying too."
Nicol Horrell said Brian would leave a huge void in the lives of Olivia, wife Shellie, and son Logie, 17, who were missing him "terribly". They had asked him to thank everyone touched by the tragedy for their "overwhelming" generosity and support.
Four bodies have been recovered from the scene of the Air New Zealand Airbus crash which killed seven people, including two German pilots, four Air New Zealand personnel and a Civil Aviation Authority engineer off the coast near Perpignan, France.
The cause of the crash remains a mystery.
About 500 people attended the memorial yesterday, many of them wearing pilot's caps and Air New Zealand uniforms. Speaking outside St Columbia's Presbyterian Church in Botany Downs, Nicol Horrell said the mood inside the church would have suited his brother, who always had a laugh at the ready. "While there was some sadness, it was celebration of Brian's life. That was the sort of person he was and he would have wanted us to have a few laugh and remember the good times. So as much as we can, we've tried."
He said the family might one day visit Perpignan. But for now, they were supporting each other in New Zealand with the help of loved ones. Mr Horrell, 52 was the second eldest of six children. Another memorial service will be held in the South Island for family and friends next week.
