Ray Warby - Remembrance Service
A service to remember Ray Warby who passed away 24th August 2023 on the Gold Coast, Australia, (see earlier notice) is being held in the appliance bay of Auckland City Fire Station on September 20 at 2pm. This service is to celebrate Ray’s commitment and accomplishments, both operationally and administratively as a firefighter, an officer and as a leader within the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Brigade (AMFB) and New Zealand Fire Service (NZFS). In retirement he was a key administrator of gOld watch.
Ray was an operational firefighter in Auckland during the 60s and 70s. During the 80s and 90s he was promoted to SSO at Auckland City Brown Watch and then to Divisional Officer in Central Command. In the restructures of the 1990s, he became the Chief Fire Officer for Auckland City East Fire District.
Among other things Ray is remembered for his leading role at the Manukau tanker incident. Ray was also instrumental in organising the First World Firefighter Games.
After his retirement in the late 90s, Ray and a couple of his retired colleagues formed gOld watch, a social network group for retired and long serving firefighters who continue to look out for each other.
Due to operational requirements and limited space, there will be no parking available at Auckland City Station for the memorial service, however there will be a shuttle service running between the Civic Car Park ($5 per hour) at the bottom of Greys Ave and City Station from 1pm onwards. And of course there is ATs bus service.
For catering purposes please RSVP to d.wood@fireandemergency.nz by 17th September 2023. Also if you would like to share any photos that could be used in the service please email to same address.