Musician, poet, gentleman and brother.

Graham Brazier, the front man of Hello Sailor, has been remembered by those who knew him best, at his funeral in Auckland.

Brazier died last week, aged just 63.

He had been at a stroke rehabilitation centre, and had recently suffered a heart attack while holidaying in the Bay of Islands.

It was a full house today for his farewell at St Matthews-in-the City, the church overflowing with family, friends and members of New Zealand's musical fraternity.

Sheltering under a flotilla of umbrellas, hundreds ventured out on a wet and wild day to wish this 'Sailor', as one-time father-in-law Les Mills said - "fair winds and smooth seas".

Among the familiar faces grieving for another musical comrade lost were Dave Dobbyn, Peter Urlich and Jordan Luck.

Band mate Harry Lyon struggled through tears as he searched for words to describe the huge hole left by the gregarious Brazier, just two years after the death of fellow 'Sailor' Dave McArtney.

Peter Urlich said they had all lost two huge pillars, with the passing of the two men.

But among the tears and moments of silence as those who knew Brazier beyond the stage persona struggled for words, there was also, of course, music.

In an ode to Hello Sailor's inseparable founders, Lyon sang the McArtney-penned 'Gutter Black' at the end of today's service.

Earlier, Hammond Gamble performed hit 'Billy Bold'; a song Brazier had written for his Liverpudlian father - who became the founder of the New Zealand Communist Party.

Brazier's 99 year old mother Christina, who fostered her son's lifelong obsession with literature and poetry, was at his funeral.

That passion for not just music, but the written word in any form, was a common thread in people's memories of Brazier.

They recalled his incredible intellect and love of words, which would lead him to spend much of his final years in his mother's antique bookstore - 'Brazier Books'.

He was known and admired for his quick wit and ability to recite poetry and prose from an astounding array of authors.

Hello Sailor drummer Rick Ball quoted his friend as saying Braziers and elephants are the same, they never forget.

Brazier was also a constant source of hilarity for those who surrounded him; a master of impersonations who loved to theme his band's tours and make everyone stay in character throughout the trip.

Harry Lyon said they would amuse themselves with the same jokes for days.

He recalled a vanload of band members having to pull over because they were laughing so hard, they simply couldn't keep driving.

Wild and dangerous, happy and serene; from rubbish man, league lover and gardener, to musical icon and humble bookstore owner; Graham Brazier was many things to those who knew and loved him.

He will receive a full musical farewell next Friday, with Auckland's Powerstation playing host to 'Hello Sailor's 40th Anniversary Concert: Salute To Mr B'.