Sir Ed's funeral service

[Blackbird]

In England a lifetime ago, I was a member of Hillary House in my old school. Amazingly, out of the 4 houses, Rutherford was also represented. It wasn’t just a name, we also got to learn about why these people were chosen for our house names and Hillary seemed to have the values to which everyone should aspire.

Jennie and I came to live in NZ in 1975 and once again, the Hillary name became a regular news item. To us, his basic decency, concern for his fellow human beings and integrity represents what makes New Zealanders so special in the world.

Rest in peace Sir Ed.

[mstriumph]

off in search of new frontiers to conquer





fare thee well ...

[Mully]

RIP Sir Ed, you will be missed.

[Zukin]

A real adventurer has been lost and will never return
Makes me feel so small in comparison to his achievements

A real NZ icon, and his legacy will live forever

[Mr Merde]

Having grown up in Papakura, this man held a special place in my thoughts as a "local made good". Met him on a few occasions. Always impressed.

Sad to see him pass but we all are going to go sometime.

The measure of the man is in how he affected others around him.

In this respect Sir Ed was a man of men.


RIP

[The Lone Rider]

I'm a bit behind on the news.

Only just found out watching tv.

[slowpoke]

He was modest too:
"I was just an enthusiastic mountaineer of modest abilities who was willing to work quite hard and had the necessary imagination and determination. I was just an average bloke; it was the media that transformed me into a heroic figure. And try as I did, there was no way to destroy my heroic image. But as I learned through the years, as long as you didn’t believe all that rubbish about yourself, you wouldn’t come to much harm."

Thanks for the quote, if only we all followed such tenets in life. It's amazing that a man who scaled such great heights was also incredibly down to earth.

Bye Ed, you did us proud, mate.

[Ixion]

A humble dude.
A great loss.
RIP


There should be a national day of mourning for this old guy...and a new public holiday in his honour!

A very good idea. The last state funeral in NZ was for Micheal Joseph Savage. Hillary is at least as deserving .

I remember when he climbed that mountain, it didn't seem such a big deal then. It was the work he did after that which won our hearts.

The last New Zealand Hero is dead. We are all the poorer for it.

I myself feel strangly diminished, as if an era has ended.

[Daffyd]

Climb on to that great mountain in the sky, Sir Ed.

[Hitcher]

Thank you Ed Hillary for demonstrating a strength of character that has become synomymous for Kiwi resolve and determination. And for being an outstanding ambassador for our scroty little isolated nation, indeed probably our most famous "son". You were a good bloke. We will miss you.

[Dafe]

You really can't help but like the Guy. He's a real New Zealander.
And he made it quietly obvious that he wasn't much fond of the Labour party!
RIP Sir Ed.

[MisterD]

RIP. A great man, whose departure leaves all of us more than a little poorer.

[Oakie]

'Humble', yes. I used to work at Mount Cook and he visited from time to time. I heard a story that on one of his visits he spent a bit of time at the tavern one evening amongst the locals just yarning. A couple of loud American climbers came in and spent some time boasting about one of the lesser mountains in the park they'd conquered and returned from that day. Sir Ed just sat there politely listening and didn't say a word about who he was. Eventually he retired to his room with the Americans still none the wiser.

Postscript: Yes, the locals did enlighten the visitors after he left.

He's a man who's character we could all do well to emulate and I'm sure his memory will not be allowed to fade away. I do feel a little empty this afternoon.

RIP Sir Ed.

[Toaster]

Thanks Sir Ed for your life-long example of humility in action, dedication, commitment and sacrifice for the needs of others.

Your conquering of Mt Everest inspired me in my mountaineering days. Definitely one of the most challenging things I have ever done.

You were a real decent bloke with a huge heart and will be missed. You are New Zealand's greatest icon.

[chanceyy]

RIP Sir Ed

a true gentleman who will be greatly missed ...