Funeral today for father and son who died at Mangawhai property

A joint funeral will be held today for father and son Keith and James Sisson, who died after emergency services were called to a hazardous substance incident at a Mangawhai Heads property last week.

Keith James Sisson, 78, of Mangawhai, and James Martin Sisson, 52, of Whangārei, will be farewelled at Maunu Crematorium. A viewing will begin at 10.30am, followed by their funeral service and cremation.

Police named the pair on Friday after emergency services were called to the property shortly after 8am on Tuesday.

“Police extend our deepest condolences to their whānau and friends during this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.

A funeral notice described Keith as a beloved father, grandfather and husband, and James as a beloved son and brother.

Keith, affectionately known as “Whiskers”, was remembered in a tribute shared on a Mangawhai community Facebook page as a “legendary and colourful” local.

The friend who posted the tribute invited those who knew the pair to quietly pay their respects at Alamar Crescent last Wednesday evening, before they were taken to Whangārei.

The gathering was described as a chance for Keith to have “one final look over the estuary at his beloved boat”.

The tribute also asked for privacy and understanding for the family, describing the deaths as a “tragic and highly unusual accident”.

Stace Sisson, whose father and older brother died in the incident, told the NZ Herald he believed the pair had been repairing a previously patched leak inside a water tank ahead of summer when they succumbed to fumes from a petrol-powered water pump.

Police said the deaths were not being treated as suspicious.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand sent one truck to assist police and ambulance staff. Fire and Emergency’s incident listing recorded the call as involving a hazardous substance.

Hato Hone St John said it was notified at 8.17am and responded with one ambulance.