A memorial service held for Koro Percy Reedy on April 13 brimmed with colleagues, family and friends gathered under one roof to exchange fond memories, laughter and tears.
Mr Reedy, who worked as a kaumatua at Stand Children’s Services (formerly Pakuranga Health Camp) and was highly regarded by the local community, passed away on March 21 at the age of 75.
He was remembered at the service for his ability to transcend cultures and ages and make the people around him feel truly valued.
“He made himself well-known with his singing,” said former Stand kaumatua Uncle George Taipari, and commented on how the now-vacant role previously held by Mr Reedy will be a tricky one to fill.
“When we met him, we thought, we need someone like him… he was such a unique man.”
Regional Manager of Stand Children’s Services Auckland, Pene Frost, spoke at the service of Mr Reedy’s kind character and gift for putting people at ease.
“He provided people with a sense of safety… and took his own brand of sunshine into resthomes. Through music and humour, Koro Percy encouraged people to relax.”
She recalled Mr Reedy’s habit of asking slightly off-topic interview questions when hiring new staff, such as who was going to win the rugby and whether the candidate could sing, owned a boat, or liked fishing.
Stand operations manager and nephew of Mr Reedy, Tauha Te Kani, was the MC for the service, and paid tribute to his uncle’s knack for pushing the boundaries with the power of his cheeky grin.
“I struggle to think about Uncle Percy without laughing.
“He was a man that in my experience would do things other people would never do and get away with it,” he joked.
Members of Mr Reedy’s family, including his partner, daughter and son-in-law, also spoke at the service, paying tribute to the man they remembered as “helpful, kind and generous” with a caring heart and an unwavering passion for people.
- Stand Children’s Services would like to thank everyone for turning out on such a blustering day to stand together to honour and celebrate the life of a very special man. The family also sincerely appreciated the kind words and support of the public who turned up to pay their respects.
