Honouring Jerry Collins
A public funeral for Jerry Collins will be held on Wednesday, June 17, as the momentum gathers to rename Porirua Park in his memory.
Collins’ manager and spokesman, Tim Castle, last week released details of two funerals for the Porirua legend.
Collins and his wife, Alana Madill, died in a car accident in France on June 4. Their infant daughter is in a critical condition.
The first funeral, for family, was scheduled for Monday at Northern United’s clubrooms at Porirua Park.
The public funeral will take place at Te Rauparaha Arena on Wednesday, from 10am.
‘‘The family knows that Jerry was loved and admired by the people of Porirua and beyond,’’ Castle said. ‘‘He was one of them and played a big role in the community. The family understands that many people want to join them in showing their love and respect for him.’’
Castle said Collins’ body was brought back to New Zealand by a small group, including his cousin, former All Black Tana Umaga.
He said the family wanted to thank Porirua City Council for making the arena available.
Collins would be buried in a ceremony for extended family and friends after the Wednesday service.
Meanwhile, a Facebook page created to gather support to rename Trust Porirua Park in Collins’ honour has more than 6700 likes.
Council chief executive Gary Simpson said renaming the main grandstand would not be a problem, but if it was the park there would be a bigger process.
‘‘The grandstand is a council asset. We can call it what we want,’’ he said. ‘‘ However, I suspect the name Porirua Park has been formalised [under the Reserves Act] and been named for the city.’’
A report from council officers would be required, with Porirua City councillors to make any decision on a name change.
Simpson said there could also be a discussion about acknowledging golfer Michael Campbell’s 2005 US Open victory.