The Reverend Raymond Selwyn Coldham-Fussell had two older brothers, James and Edward, and three younger brothers, Phillip, Andrew and Briton. His four sisters were Ruth, Vera, Rita and Victoria. He was born in Cambridge, New Zealand 16th February 1906, was ordained deacon 21st December 1932 and priest 11th June 1933 at St.Peter's Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton. He retired in 1974 at the age of 67 after a career of 41 years. Following his death in November 1976 aged 70, his ashes were placed in the grounds of St.Luke's Church, Waerenga-a-hika, near Gisborne, with a camelia tree planted above them, along with a headstone bearing an inscription.
