Christchurch loses a lively centenarian

The centenarian who graced the front page of the Christchurch Star back in September has died.

Harold Cordery, who was born in Wellington and moved to Christchurch when he was two, died at Princess Margaret Hospital on November 25.

He was featured in the September 15 issue of the Star, with readers and staff at the paper amazed at his lively character and youthful looks.

Mr Cordery's daughter, Claire Ballantyne, said he had lived at his Fendalton home on his own up until the end of October when he had a heart attack.

"He had a lot of contacts through a lot of organisations," Ballantyne said.

When Mr Cordery was spoken to by the Star in September, he only used glasses for reading, didn't use a walking stick or frame and had a quick wit. He only gave up driving at 96 years old.

The first school he attended was a church school, before starting at Richmond Primary in 1912.

From there he went to Christchurch Boys' High School.

After leaving school he was employed by meat exporter the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, from 1920 until he retired in 1970. He married Alison on Boxing Day, 1929, and he was with her for 73 years, until she died on Christmas Day, 2002.

The funeral for Mr Cordery was held on Tuesday at St Barnabas' Anglican Church.