About 80 mourners packed the township’s St John’s Presbyterian Church — which Mr Reid’s grandfather helped build — while another 75 watched the service on a live feed from the adjoining hall.
Arrowtown’s last mayor, Mr Reid was also a long-time councillor, businessman and war veteran.
Friends and family members told their favourite stories about Mr Reid, who died last Saturday, aged 95.
Nieces Lyn Townrow, Gay Sims-Schofield and Diane Toogood spoke of their lifelong love of visiting their Uncle Jack and Aunty Margaret — who died in 2005 — at their cottage, Reidhaven, built in 1866.
Cousin Geoff Murray said he last visited Mr Reid at home three weeks ago.
As he was leaving, he complained to his cousin that he was not as good on his feet as he used to be.
"So he did a hop, skip and a jump, and said ‘how’s that?'"
Friend and Lakes District Museum director David Clarke outlined Mr Reid’s five years of active service in World War 2 from the age of 19, during which he trained in Canada and served in Gibraltar, North Africa, the Atlantic and England.
Mr Reid was a keen reader and researcher, and they had bonded over their shared interest in Arrowtown’s history.
Those who knew Mr Reid loved him for his "intelligence, cheery disposition, his service to his community and his service to his country", Mr Clarke said.
Taylor Reed, a friend for more than 70 years and who served with Mr Reid on the former Arrowtown Borough Council, said "he never lost his temper, never raised his voice and never got rattled".
