The high regard and affection in which Neil Turner is held was clearly demonstrated when hundreds of people braved torrential rain and cold to attend his funeral on the family's farm on Saturday.

Due to begin at 11am, the service was delayed to allow people queuing in cars down the narrow country road, time to join those already sheltering under canvas in front of the Turner home at Work Road.

Neil ‘Noddy' Turner - 1953 to 2014.

Torrential rain failed to keep mourners away from Neil Turner's funeral on Saturday.

Neil, universally known as Noddy, died of hypothermia when he fell off a boat into the waters of Bradshaw Sound on July 3, during an extended hunting trip with friends.

The 61-year-old was described as a 'gentle giant”, who touched many lives, including, together with his wife Jenny, troubled young people.

His brother Graham says Neil was a 'best friend” to many people.

'Most people have just a few best friends. Neil had many.”

Neil's wife of 39 years says only Neil knows how he ended up in the waters of Fiordland on July 3 but what is certain is that he has left a huge hole in the lives of his family and all who knew him.

She praised the friends on the hunting and fishing trip to Doubtful Sounds - Ali Wells, Steve West, Noel Walker and Steve Mann - for the way in which they responded to the tragedy and cared for Neil since.

'They have been through hell.”

She thanked Kevin Wade, John Harpham, John Dobb and Ali Wells who made the long journey to bring him home from Invercargill, along with those who have visited, made phone calls and brought food to the family in recent days.

Neil's daughters Clare and Susan and son Allan paid tribute to their father, saying as children they never wanted for anything, growing up with love, security, fun and adventure. Neil they said was a wonderful Poppa to his grandchildren too.

John Harpham (Harpo), talked of growing up with Noddy and the escapades and adventures they enjoyed as young men and adults.

Author and family friend Colin Jones, who read a poem he had written in honour of 'Mr T”, was also among those who spoke.

Listening were hundreds of people, sheltering in the large barn and under canvas, or lashed by heavy rain, outside under umbrellas hooded in wet weather gear. There was standing room only and estimates of the exact numbers were unknown there were an estimated 600 in attendance.

At the end of the service, Neil's coffin, on a small farm trailer pulled by his quad bike, was driven through the crowd by friend Scott Adamson to a waiting hearse, where Noddy was saluted by the firing of 21 shots in his honour.

Neil, one speaker said, loved mud. Thanks to the non-stop rain, there was plenty of it on the day of his farewell.