Dignified farewell for an industry icon

by Bob Wonders on 28 Aug 2009 The boating industry gathered at the Centenary Memorial Gardens, west of Brisbane, on Wednesday to say a final farewell to one of the great ones as John Sydney Haines, A.M. was laid to rest.

It came as no surprise that the chapel could not accommodate the many mourners who turned out to pay their respects.

Inside the chapel it was standing room only, while many more stood on the surrounding patio listening to the service, conducted by the Reverend Linda McWilliam.

Chief mourners were Mrs Alida Haines, sons John Junior and Greg, brother Garry and their respective families.

Several moving eulogies were delivered, including those from John Junior and Greg, brother Garry, Steve ‘Stefan’ Ackerie and Tom Wyld.

It was fair to say there was barely a dry eye in the chapel as the moving ceremony was conducted.

Mourners came from across Australia and across the Tasman, many flying in from New Zealand for the service.

Chances are the attendance would have been even larger only for the Brisbane Boat Show scheduled to open the following day.

'We knew that the show may have prevented some people from attending, but Dad was not one to delay things, he would have wanted it over and done with,' John Junior explained.

Leading identities from across the boating industry in attendance included Tom and Hayden Wyld,(Wyld About Boats), Bob and Scott Littler (BLA), Tony Smith (Mercury Marine), Bob and Scott James (Horizon Aluminium Boats), Don Jones (Marine Queensland), David Toyer (representing the Australian Powerboat Association), Kevin, Nathan and Justin Nichols (Cruise Craft), Martin Lewis, Peter Jenkins, Greg Swain and Phil Frazer (Maritimo), media people Peter and Rhys Scott (Go Boating), Peter Webster and Ruth Cunningham, Bob Carter Connexion PR), Steve Searle (Acme Fibreglass), Steve Ackerie (‘Stefan’), Peter Evans and another genuine legend in Bruce ‘Sharkie; Harris.

My apologies to any I missed, but as I said it was an attendance that could be termed ‘huge.’

Following the service, the family welcomed mourners to the St.Lucia Golf Club for final celebration of John Sydney Haines’ life.

Unfortunately, work commitments kept me away, but by all reports the ‘wake’ was both revered and hilarious, filled with memories of the man and his life.

And it did indeed qualify as ‘a fortunate life.’

So long, Hainsey, see you somewhere between the troughs.