City loses pioneer Herb Sewell

Annette and Herb Sewell, pictured at Herb's 80th birthday party in September. Photo/Supplied

Rotorua hospitality icon Herb Sewell was many things - a restaurateur, a musician, a painter - but most of all he was a devoted family man.

Herb, who ran restaurants in Rotorua for 40 years, died at home on Saturday after a long battle with cancer. He was 80.

His death came just weeks after Annette, his wife of 56 years, succumbed to the disease on Boxing Day, aged 74.

Their children, Richard Sewell and Robynne Watson, said their parents spent the last two months of Annette's life lying side by side at home in hospice beds, holding hands.

"It was always Annette and Herb, Herb and Annette, even in death," Robynne said. "He didn't want to be here without her."

His children described Herb as a gentle and generous man with "not an enemy in the world", while their mother was "wise" and a "great listener".

Herb and Annette came to Rotorua in 1958 and bought their first restaurant - the lakefront 5 Doors - in 1974.

They went on to own Caesars restaurant on Arawa St as well as the Colonel's Retreat motel in Whakarewarewa.

In 1980 they bought the Bar-B-Que restaurant on what is now Eat Streat, renaming it Herbs Place a year later. By that stage the restaurant had become a firm favourite with locals.

"The community named it," daughter-in-law Julie Sewell said. "People would say 'let's go to Herb's place'."

The couple owned Herbs for 29 years, selling in 2011, but remained regulars at Urbano, which they owned with Richard and Julie.

A highlight for Herb was being presented with the Hospitality Icon award at the 2012 Rotorua Hospitality Awards.

Julie said he was "chuffed" with the recognition but added although Herb got the accolades, "they were a couple, it wasn't just Herbie".

Music played a big part in Herb's life - he played the tea chest and bass guitar in bands around Rotorua before getting into band management - and he would sit beside the DJ at Herbs Place for hours, banging his tambourine.

He was also a painter - "he gave them away, everyone got a 'Herbie"', a hoarder - "he once bought 150 beds at an auction" and "Mr fix-it man", his children said. But ultimately, Herb was a family man who was proud of his wife, children and five grandsons, Richard said.

"We have been blessed as a family, we have such fantastic memories."

He said the support from friends, neighbours, hospitality colleagues and the Rotorua Hospice had been overwhelming over the past six months.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick said she was saddened to learn of Herb's death. "Herbie should be remembered as a pioneer in the restaurant business, and for his substantial contribution to quality cuisine in Rotorua.

"His legacy is reflected in the new generation of family-owned businesses and fine dining that we enjoy today in our city.

"My colleagues at Rotorua District Council join me in extending our condolences to his family."

Herb's funeral will be held at the Rotorua Convention Centre at 11am on Wednesday.