Swimmer died in water he loved

Tony Kelly spent so much time in the water friends and family described him as amphibious.

"He could have had gills on the side of his neck," said good friend Ross Johnson. "Tony was always swimming or surfing ... or playing waterpolo."

But as the 57-year-old father of three ploughed through the water last Saturday, nearing the the halfway mark of the 2.8km Sovereign Harbour Crossing, his heart stopped.

Today more than 600 people are expected to pack the Papakura Anglican Church to celebrate the life of the former policeman, postie and devoted father and husband. A traditional Maori cloak will be laid on the casket at the family home before the service, donated by former postal workers.

Mr Kelly's wife, Annette, said her husband was the picture of good health and had "spent 50 per cent of his life in the water".

"He loved the shift work as a policeman because he could just drive to the coast, to whichever had the best surf, in his Combi van and sleep in it."

The family had been told the heart attack was sudden and nothing could have been done to save him, shesaid.

Mrs Kelly said the family was extremely grateful to the two swimmers who supported him in the water, as well as the surf lifesavers and paramedics, and the race organisers "for giving Tony the opportunity to do something he loved".

Daughters Sarah, 23, Erin, 19, and Mr Kelly's youngest brother Brett were also on the harbour swim at the time, which was of some comfort.

"It comes as a massive shock to everybody, but at the end of the day if he was going to go, what a way to go, doing something you love and being surrounded by some of his family that he knew were there with him," said Mr Johnson.

Mr Kelly instilled his love of water in the children. Sarah, Erin and Joanne, 21, his three "possums", had been competing and winning events since the Weet-Bix Tryathlons.

Their dad, a practical joker, would sometimes wear a wetsuit on land.

"At rugby games, you name it ... he would say, 'Oh well it's raining and I'm going to get wet anyway," Mrs Kelly said.

The Kelly family will not be giving up swimming.

Next Easter Mrs Kelly, her brother-in-law Brett and the three daughters will swim the King of the Bays race - the first event Mr Kelly swam in.

Mr Kelly was the second eldest of six boys and is also survived by his mother, Alma.