Funeral costs worry blanket man’s family
Blanket man Ben Hana had limited contact with his family, who are now scraping the money together to pay for a funeral.
Mr Hana, 54, Wellington’s most wellknown vagrant, died in a Wellington Hospital bed on Sunday afternoon. The cause of his death was not known yesterday.
His brother, Tony Hana, a Nelson fisherman, heard about the death on the radio on Sunday.
He planned to travel to Wellington for the funeral despite having had only limited contact with Mr Hana in the past few years.
Daughter Renee Temaari said her father moved from Tokoroa to the streets of Wellington about 20 years ago, when she was 18.
‘‘I don’t really know much about him since he became homeless. We all lost touch.’’
But she had talked to her father about two weeks ago in Courtenay Place. ‘‘He was good – we talked, just the same as normal.’’
She said funeral and burial plans were yet to be confirmed, but the funeral would be in Wellington this week. There would be a private ceremony for family, followed by a public service.
Mr Hana had left no money for funeral costs. ‘‘[We’re] wondering how we’re going to pay for it all,’’ she said.
Cousin Charles Hana said it had been a couple of years since he had last seen Mr Hana and he had seemed to be in a bad way then.
‘‘I’d imagine he’d contracted quite a lot of things. He didn’t look after himself. There were times when I would have suspected he got pneumonia. He wasn’t well.
‘‘I wonder what his purpose was behind his actions. He came from a very good family. It wasn’t as though he lived in poverty. If there had been provisions for him to live a better life, I don’t think he would have taken it. It’s sad to think about it.’’
A Wellington Hospital spokeswoman said the death had been referred to the coroner.
A shrine to Mr Hana in Courtenay Place grew yesterday as people added flowers and other tributes. Messages were scribbled on the walls and on cards and messages, including: ‘‘Thanks for standing for what you believe in’’ and ‘‘Love to the man in the blanket’’.
Peter Fenton said he always identified with Mr Hana. ‘‘I felt kinship and brotherhood with him.’’
Courtenay Place Burger King manager Harpal Singh said three people slept by the shrine overnight. ‘‘We’ll miss him. He was a good man. He’d never ask for anything free. He’d always buy his own meal, but we’d give him a free cheeseburger. He wouldn’t come in often, maybe once a week.’’
Passers-by said the colourful character would be missed. ‘‘I didn’t expect to see a shrine. It’s really beautiful,’’ Natalie Cole said. ‘‘I know he’s a controversial character, but I always enjoyed his presence. During my walk to work he always looked up and smiled. He’s going to be missed.’’