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A celebration of the life of Wanaka helicopter pilot Matthew Wallis will take place today at Wanaka Airport.
The body of this 39 year old man was found last Monday after the crash of his helicopter in Lake Wanaka two days ago. A letter from the Wallis brothers on Facebook indicates that Matthew has left a lasting impression on everyone he has encountered, his warm character and his huge smile filling a room.
Calum MacLeod, deputy mayor of Queenstown-Lakes says that Matthew was loved and respected.
He described the Wallis family as the "grand totara of the village", and said that it was incredibly sad to see one of the members fall.
MacLeod said that "the thoughts and the love of the whole community" come out to the whole Wallis family.
We expect 1500 people to come for the celebration of this afternoon.
MacLeod says that the united community rallies around him.
"I can not speak for Family Wallis, but I can certainly for co mmunity – and everyone is incredibly sad and eager to go out and celebrate the life of a wonderful man."
Matthew Wallis was the son of Warbirds on the founder of Wanaka, Sir Tim Wallis
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