'Mischievous' motorcyclist farewelled

Timaru's motorcycle fraternity have farewelled one of their own.

More than 500 people attended a funeral service for Stephen "Haggis" McRae at the Caroline Bay Hall yesterday.

Mr McRae was killed in a motorcycle crash on Saturday near Murchison. He was on his way home after attending the AC/DC concert in Wellington.

Family, friends and motorcyclists gathered to pay their respects to a founding member of Timaru's Road Knights Motorcycle Club and the Retired Ex Bikers and Ladies.

The father of three sons, he was described as having an energetic vitality, full of mischief, rough and ready, and whose first love was Harley-Davidson motorcycles. "Anything with a motor interested him," one speaker said.

Mr McRae attended Hilton Primary School and Geraldine High School before becoming a freezing worker. In more recent years, he lived on a 30-acre (12-hectare) farmlet, and after his marriage ended, devoted himself to raising his sons.

A friend spoke of his love of travel, the motorcycle journeys he made across Europe, his Scottish ancestry and the pride he felt in wearing a kilt.

Two of his sons addressed the congregation and spoke of their father's dedication to completing tasks once he started them.

Mr McRae is survived by his three sons, Rory, Lucas and Max.

- © Fairfax NZ News