Newspaper Article 2004 – Farming community loses a son

Farming community loses a son

Wairoa farming identity Barrie Geordie Wilson, 65, died when the bulldozer he was operating rolled down a bank on a Mangapoike Road farm on Friday afternoon.

Mr Wilson was working on a steep incline when the machine rolled. He was thrown from the bulldozer, which then rolled quite a distance.

Wairoa police Sergeant Chris Flood said Occupational Safety and Health was investigating the incident.

Mr Wilson was the manager of Springhill Land Company at Marumaru.

He was the third generation of the Wilson family to manage the farm, which the Wilson family had been involved with for more than 70 years.

Mr Wilson was well-known in the community, having served as president of the Wairoa A and P Society for about nine years.

He was a keen golfer, a longtime member of Wairoa Golf Club and a Wairoa Racing Club committee member.

Mr Wilson was passionate about Springhill amd [and] the local farming community and was known as everyone’s friend.

Mr Wilson is survived by wife Marion, sons Fenton and Harvey, daughters-in-law Sue and Lisa, and four grandchildren Alice, Jonty, Penny and Georgie.

His funeral will be held at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Wairoa tomorrow.