7 May, 2024 | Proudly locally owned and operated
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30 MAY-12 JUNE MB TWIN CINEMAS
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Issue 1104 Circulation 9000
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA
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THE REGION FAREWELLS A GOOD MAN BY PAULINE STEWART
M
The pall bearers carry Merv to be placed in the early years Fire Truck once used at the station.
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ervyn James Forbes George was born in Whitianga in 1953 and in his 71 years he packed in what seemed like a century of initiative, service, leadership, organisation, compassion, honest business and love for his fellow human beings – all with the purpose of improving peoples’ lives and their experience of service. His love was his family, his community and service. His reward was the deep and lasting friendship and admiration of colleagues, firefighters, neighbours, rugby players, golfers, people of all ages across the Coromandel and across this country. Merv lived with the attitude that his ‘cup was full’, and he helped to enable so many others experience that their cup was full. Close to a thousand people gathered at the Whitianga Fire Station last Saturday morning for the funeral of Mervyn George. The brigade and their family members had prepared well for a very large crowd. Only the week before, a lesser crowd of over 200 had gathered at the Fire Station of which Merv had been Chief Fire Officer for 34 years, for a very different occasion – the presentation of two 50-year service medals for two brothers, Spida and Grassy Mangin. Merv could not be there for this joyful, unique celebration.
He had only just returned from Waikato Hospital to be with his family for his final days. His colleagues and regional leaders of the Fire Service spoke of him in a concerned way that evening – all missing his presence. Just twenty-four hours later, Sunday, 28 April, Merv George died at his home with his beloved family, Greer and his children-around him. The news descended like a dark cloud. Saturday’s service was deeply emotional for everyone present. Loving appreciation of all that Merv meant to people and all that he had done and made possible was expressed with eloquence and deep emotion by all who spoke. Officiating was Rev Ian Diprose, Chaplain Whitianga Fire Brigade. Ian uplifted everyone with his words of faith and his clear love of Merv, sometimes his voice breaking. He wore the cross on his jacket that Merv had given to him some years before. Greer, Merv’s wife and one of Merv’s sons, Brayden, paid the first tributes, speaking bravely and poignantly. Greer spoke about their marriage – 48 years, and that he came home from hospital on their 48th wedding anniversary. She shared experiences of their young life in Whitianga, Merv’s working years, and the shared joy of their seven mokupuna. Turn to page 3
The Coromandel Informer – 7 May 2024 | 1