Farewell to former fireman | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

One of Christchurch's most well respected former firemen will be laid to rest tomorrow.

Clive James, who was known as Sid to his family and friends because of his similar sense of humour to legendary British Carry On actor Sid James, died of a heart attack in Sydney last week.

He was a fireman for 38 years in Christchurch and retired in April, 2002, so he and his wife, Margaret, could move closer to their grandchildren in Australia.

The funeral service will be held at the city's central fire station at 11am tomorrow.

Close friend and former colleague Graeme Berg said the station could hold a lot more people than a chapel.

"Sid commands enough respect to warrant a service in the station. I'm sure there will be well over 300 people there."

Berg said James was a "great family man".

"He always spoke about his family ? his cousins and nephews and nieces. At work we all knew who they all were," Berg said.

The two worked together for a total of 19 years and kept in touch regularly after James shifted to Sydney.

"He was totally reliable, thoughtful, considerate and professional. I spoke to him just before Christmas and had dinner in February with him when they were back on holiday," Berg said.

James' younger brother Gerard, who was a volunteer fireman at New Brighton Station, said being a firefighter ran in the family with their late father, Stan, serving 31 years as a volunteer at New Brighton.

He said James loved the job and the lifestyle that went with it.