Steve Coleman

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 12, 23 August 1983, Page 3

Steve Coleman

A well-known Waimarino identity passed away last month. He was Stephen Richard (Steve) Coleman of Raetihi. Born in Wanganui 76 years ago when his parents were working 'Tutatetra' at «rton, Steve Coleman ved first to Rata and n to Feilding where he attended school. He later completed his schooling at Bulls. When he was 18-20 he played football for the Bulls Football Club and, being an excellent swimmer, travelled to Wanganui to take part in the annual bridge-to-bridge swim. He moved down to the South Island and worked in the hop and tobacco fields. He was there at the time of the Murchison earthquake.

He was responsible for saving the life of a pregnant woman during this earthquake. When he was in his early 20's he moved to the Ohakune area and met Grace Terry whom he married at her parents' home at Makaranui. Five daughters — Nesta, Faith, Hope, Colleen and Gail — were the result of that marriage. Two of the daughters, Faith Wise and Hope Vaughan still live in Raetihi as does their mother. Of the others, Nesta lives in Motueka, Colleen in Whakatane and Gail in Feilding. Steve Coleman worked for the Ministry of Works and helped form the Desert Road and Parapara Road as a grader driver. He then became a grader

driver for the Waimarino County Council and during that time was called up for war service. The County appealed against him going and he then took the County to court so that he could serve his country like everyone else. The court ruled that he musf stay and keep the roads open as he was classed as essential manpower. However he was a sergeant in the Home Guard during the war years. He was a Lance Corporal in the Army Territorials during 1934 -1937. In later years he worked for the Raetihi Milk Co. and delivered milk between Raetihi and Raurimu. His last job was working for Reynolds Motors in the lubricating bay and petrol bowsers where his bright and cheerful manner was a great asset to the company. He was always arriving home with hitchhikers who had no money or motorists who had broken down. He would feed them before sending them on their way, often with cash and food. Fishing and snooker became his great loves later in life. When he was 70 he was chosen to be one of the players to meet snooker champion Eddie Charlton at the Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club and, on handicap, Eddie only beat him by 7 points. Later the following year Steve had his leg amputated in the Wanganui Hospital.

After his amputation he suffered many strokes before his death in the Waimarino Hospital on 19 July. Steve Coleman was a Foundation member of Search & Rescue, a member of the Police Boys Club, Indoor Bowls, Fire Brigade (12 yrs), Life Member of Acclimatisation Society, Hon. Life Member of the Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club, Past District Grand Master of U.A.O.D. Lodge (Druids), Past Noble Grande of M.U.I.O.O.F. Lodge (Oddfellows).