City teenager Ethan Peek laid to rest

JOHN HAWKINS/ The Southland Times

FAREWELLED: Tui beer stickers on the coffin of Invercargill teen Ethan Peek, being carried by family members yesterday.

Relevant offers

Invercargill teen Ethan Peek had it all in front of him.

He had cars to make, music to download and many challenges to conquer.

However, after a car crash took his life last week, he had gone to be with his late brother Matthew, about 450 mourners at his funeral service in Invercargill were told yesterday.

The last of three Invercargill teens to be laid to rest after their car smashed into a wall in Leven St on Friday, mourners were told Ethan, 16, was never in a rush to do anything unless his cellphone went when his mates were going to pick him up.

A laidback teen, he loved his family, working on his car, eating, his tattoos and hanging out with his mates.

Sister Natasha said the things she would miss most were his clowning around, the play-fighting, lanky legs, big green angel eyes and the texts he sent her to pick him up.

"You were the joker, the clown, the one who had us all in fits of laughter ... I will cherish you forever my baby bro."

Celebrant Carol Chin Poy said much had changed from her teenage years. Today's teens had computers, cellphones, the dream of souped-up cars that could go fast, the thrill of the taste of bourbon and the hair that was never brushed.

Ethan didn't brush his either, except last Thursday when he spiked it before going into town, several hours before he was killed.

"Maybe there was a girl on the scene," she said.

Ms Chin Poy, referring to boy racers, said they were just that. "Boys reaching for manhood with their mates. Driving around searching, seeking, waiting to be men. We know some will never be men."

Ethan's death was a waste of a life that had so much to offer, she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News