To those who knew him, Shaun FitzPatrick was affectionately known as "Mop' , willing to do anything for friends and family.
The 22-year-old died on Saturday when a stolen car ran a red light and T-boned his car at the intersection of Carbine Rd and the Southeastern Highway in Auckland.
He was remembered today at a simple and happy ceremony in Howick today, at a funeral home filled to overflowing.
The service was played over small speakers to those outside lining the pavement.
Julia Cameron, who led the service, said Mr FitzPatrick discovered a love for cars while at Howick College.
"At the age of 16 he got into cars, and loved tinkering to improve their performance mechanically. He was a car enthusiast.''
He loved music and was a natural at computers, which led him to complete a diploma in IT at AUT.
Mr FitzPatrick died just a week after his birthday and before he had a chance to celebrate with his family.
"He was in a good space, a good place where he was enjoying his life.''
He always looked after others, and was willing to do anything for another friend, said some of his best school friends and part of `The Group'.
His uncle Brian told of Mr FitzPatrick's ability with computers, and of the hole his death would leave.
"Shaun was a lovely guy, my world's going to be a bitter place without him.''
He would not be forgotten by the many who gathered today, said Ms Cameron.
"To quote his mother and immediate family, we have lost a loving and compassionate man. A highly intelligent person with an innate understanding of things.''
She urged the crowd to remember life was fragile, and to remember humans were not indestructible.
"Do not let him die in vain. Take a lesson from his death, take all the precautions possible to ensure your own.''
Following the ceremony, mourners filed outside to place crimson petals on a casket to say a personal goodbye.
His mother trembled as she laid the petals on his casket, followed by his father and a tearful sister.
