A man of dignity
All Black. New Zealand Maori Rugby player and coach. Beloved family man. Respected and dedicated community figure. And just an all-round lovely guy.
The Far North community is mourning the loss of Percy Erceg, who passed away aged 90 in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Family and friends gathered at the family home on Okahu Rd earlier this week where, in a room where the walls are laden with Percy’s All Blacks memorabilia, alongside clippings from the local newspaper of the wider family’s more notable achievements both within the Kaitaia community and further afield Time was taken to remember someone who impressed everyone he came into contact with, as much for his prowess on the rugby field as for his composure and beautiful way with people.
Incidentally, the home is just along from a spot overlooking the Kaitaia township and its central rugby ground, Arnold Rae Park. It’s not hard to imagine Percy often driving past
(on the recently sealed road, a project he played a major role in bringing to completion) the lookout and casting a loving sideways glance to the field below where he was a near ever-present figure, playing, supporting and administrating local grassroots club rugby at all age levels.
Percy’s wife of the past 24 years, Faye Irwin Erceg said despite all his accomplishments, Percy will be best remembered for his compassionate nature.
“He was a man of dignity. Values and attitude were the philosophies of Percy’s life, points that he applied diligently and which fielded through to his sports, particularly towards schoolboy and JMB rugby. He developed the philosophy that sport of any code helped young men and women, and held the belief that values and attitude were essential.”
She noted Percy is still the one and only person ever honoured with life membership to New Zealand Maori Rugby. He was also a life member of both Mangonui Rugby Sub Union and its governing body, Northland Rugby Union.
“He gave years of service to schoolboy rugby and coaching,” she said, noting Percy also served the community as a member of the Kaitaia Rotary Club for 45 years. He was also a keen golfer, having developed a love for a sport while on tour with the All Blacks, and often featured prominently in the Kaitaia vets’ results up until around six months ago when his health started to fade and playing became more difficult.
Daughter Terri, meanwhile, echoed Faye’s sentiments and recalled an oft-recited anecdote her dad used to tell about her mother going in to labour.
“Dad was about to play rugby, so he told mum and the doctor he wanted her to hurry up so he could go and play rugby,” she said. Percy did make the game in time and when the announcement came over the loudspeaker afterwards that he was the proud father of twin girls, Terri and Tina, the
crowd gave him ovation.
“And there was the time he was a coach of Pirates, he would stand someone down so he could have a run.”
However, for all of his passion for rugby and sport in general, Percy never put the game before people, Terri said.
“[He was] Very, very gracious. Just the most lovely, gracious, respected person. Anyone you speak to from little kids up to older people had so much respect
astanding
and admiration for the man.”
It was these very same qualities which allowed Percy to run a very successful business in Kaitaia as an insurance advisor with AMP.
■ Percy Erceg’s funeral will be held at St Joseph’s Church (Pompallier Catholic School) at 10.30am tomorrow, May 29.