A seat, just for the ‘can man’
One of Ron Brinsdon’s favourite places was a seat in Nelson’s Buxton Square carpark.
Brinsdon, known as the ‘‘can man’’, would sit and listen to his transistor, particularly if there was live cricket or rugby commentary, share a coffee and chat with friends or just watch the world go by.
The homeless Nelson man, who was a familiar face on central city streets for 17 years, collapsed in the carpark a year ago. He died five days later, on September 16, in Wellington Hospital, aged 75.
Now his sister, Francie Rangi, from O¯ amaru, has bought a seat with a memorial plaque dedicated to her brother.
It will be unveiled this Sunday at 1pm in Buxton Square. Those who knew Brinsdon are welcome to join Rangi and Brinsdon’s godchildren for the unveiling.
More than 120 people attended Brinsdon’s funeral, including other homeless people, inner-city workers, retailers and library staff who met him during his ‘‘rounds’’, that included searching for ‘‘bargains’’ that others left behind.
He and a friend, Dan O’Brien, collected tin cans for years, selling them to recyclers and donating the money to charity.
At his funeral many spoke of Brinsdon’s kindness, intelligence and honesty, and although few knew him well, they were qualities that touched many lives.