Fond tributes for Arthur Holmes
THE Tweed community gathered today to farewell one of the area's favourite identities Arthur Holmes at a church service held in Murwillumbah.
More than 300 people joined Arthur's family and friends to pack out All Saints Anglican Church where Reverends Bruce Sligo and Phillip Hardie led the congregation in prayer and song before Arthur's brother James gave an emotional eulogy which included parts written by Arthur himself.
Rev Hardie introduced James and spoke about the formula Arthur lived by.
Rev Hardie said Arthur followed the principle that one should live life with an open and loving heart and have the ability to "receive" others.
James mentioned the "lengthy" instructions Arthur left for his funeral and shared some of the final words Arthur spoke to him.
James said Arthur wanted the eulogy to be an accurate reflection of his existence and had said "say what you want to say and then just read it out."
James said he was privileged to be Arthur's brother who, with his wife Margaret always by his side, achieved impressive things.
"Arthur was able to make you feel special and relate to people with honesty and affection.
"He was a gentleman of the highest order and everyone could feel comfortable in his company."
Arthur's son Andrew addressed the congregation and with a quivering voice said "of all the people gathered here today, I'm the luckiest because he was my father."
