Newspaper Article 2006 – Volunteer fought fires, adversity

OBITUARY

Volunteer fought fires, adversity

COLIN SYDNEY HUNT
1933-2006

Colin Hunt, retired Assistant Commander Hawke’s Bay Fire Service, was the first Hastings person to be afflicted with the crippling disease of polio when he was just 14 years old.

For a brief time both Colin’s legs and arms were crippled from the disease. His right wrist was especially badly affected and the young boy was forced to learn to write with his left hand.

Colin was the youngest of nine children and his three elder sisters always doted on their baby brother, especially when he was stricken with polio.

Colin completed his schooling at Hastings High School before working briefly as a truck driver and also at the Leopard Brewery in Hastings.

He joined the Hastings Fire Service first as a volunteer fire fighter and became a truck-engine driver at the age of 21. It was at this time that Colin first met his lifelong love, Jean, while at a party at her house.

Jean, aware of Colin’s interest told him to go away until she was much older. But he would not be deterred and the couple married in Hastings in 1959 and moved into the fire station flats where they lived for 15 years and happily raised four children.

Colin rose through the ranks of the fire service, from fire fighter and station officer – until he took up the role of Assistant Fire Commander of the Hawke’s Bay district in 1988. He remained in the position until retiring in 1993.

Colin’s close friend of more than 42 year[s], John Gadsby, described his friend as being straight up, honest, loyal and forthright.

John says Colin had a tremendous knowledge of the Hastings region, and was dedicated to helping people. As Assistant Fire Commander, Colin looked after the volunteer services around Hawke’s Bay, and was inducted as honorary member of the volunteer fire brigades.

Colin was actively involved in fire service competitions as a judge and time keeper and was the Hawke’s Bay Fire Brigade’s sub-association president for a brief time.

He was a member of the world wide Fire Institute of Engineers and a past president of the Wellington Provincial Fire Brigades Gold Star Association.

Colin’s time outside the fire service was spent caring for his large family, in his garden, or with the Freemason’s organisation.

He was a member of Frimley Lodge and he served some time as master of the lodge.

Colin died suddenly in Auckland on April 29 at the age of 72.

His funeral was held at the Hastings Fire Station on May 6, where over 600 people attended.

This fitting farewell is testament to a much loved and respected man within the fire service and Hastings community.

Colin is survived by his wife Jean, their four children and nine grandchildren.