Popular publican farewelled

A memorial service for much-loved Featherston chef, publican and community identity Ulli Reinartz will be held tomorrow.

The highly respected Royal Hotel publican and chef de cuisine died while holidaying in Germany with his life partner, Dean Davies, earlier this month.

A memorial service will be held for Mr Reinartz at St Mark's Anglican Church in Carterton tomorrow at 1pm.

A well as co-owning the Featherston hotel with Mr Davies, Mr Reinartz was a member of South Wairarapa Rotary Club and a sponsor and supporter of community events and charities.

He was well liked and respected throughout the local community.

Featherston's Longwood Lodge owner Marguerite Tait-Jamieson has been close friends of the couple for about two decades after meeting Mr Reinartz when he took over Fernside Lodge.

Since then, she and her family had become close friends with the couple, attending their civil union about four years ago.

Mrs Tait-Jamieson said they had all been left reeling from Mr Reinartz's sudden death.

"It's terrible. He was like an uncle to my three girls. He has been part of our life for 20 years ... they were an amazing couple."

She recalls a man who always put others first, supporting local schools and clubs, sponsoring children's soccer and netball teams as well as local schools.

"He helped everybody. He was the most generous man I have ever met and so knowledgeable. He mentored so many kids in his kitchen and was extremely generous to the community."

Taking over the Royal Hotel, the couple "revitalised" it into a place where everyone could feel comfortable, including families with young children, she said.

"It was a real gathering place for the community."

As friends and the community prepare to farewell a close friend and community identity, there have been dozens of heart-felt tributes left on an online tribute page dedicated to Mr Reinartz at www.tributes.co.nz.