Roy Taituma killed tragically

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 27, 26 November 1985, Page 3

Roy Taituma killed tragically

Roy Taituma's funeral last Monday at the Kakahi Marae, attended by about 1500 people, was one of the biggest ever held there. Mr Taituma, 43, was killed instantly in a car accident on Thursday 14 November. He was born in Taumarunui and grew up in Kakahi. At the age of 14, he left school and rode the rodeo circuit. He went to Auckland for two years when he was 18, then came to National Park where he met his wife. His first job there was as rural delivery contractor to Kaitieke and in 1965, he joined the Ministry of Works and was overseer for nine years. In 1979, Mr Taituma became a member of the National Park Volunteer

Fire Brigade and served on it for six years, gaining a fiveyear medal. At the time of his death, Mr Taituma was vicepresident of the National Park Cosmopolitan Club, which he joined when he was 21. He was a member and player with the National Park Rugby Club for 22 years and was on the com-

mittee for nine years. Mr Taituma was a close friend of Alan Bonicci, manager and owner of Ruapehu Transport Ltd, and was part-time driver for their mountain transport. He also served on the National Park Community Council. He is survived by his wife Tomasina, and six children: David, who works for the Ministry of Works and Development in Taumarunui, Marie, a student at Massey University, Dennis, Donna and Frances, students at Taumarunui High School, and Jason, a pupil of National Park School. Roy was the eldest of 1 1 children of the late Martin Taituma and Rangi, his wife, who still lives in National Park. He was buried next to his father at the Mananui Cemetery.