A Life Well Lived

We are always amazed at how so many of our old boys go on to make great contributions to their communities. Paul McEvedy was an old boy of FDMC who sadly passed away this month. The following is an obituary sent to us by Bill Kilkolly. We are sure you will agree it encapsulates the life of a good kiwi bloke and some one we can be proud of.

Paul Gregory McEvedy.

20th November 1946-11 February 2015.

Paul attended Francis Douglas College as a boarder from 1960 through to 1964.

During his years at the college Paul excelled in Latin and English, often being first in class. He was a great champion of the English language and was often known to come up with obscure words that had teachers looking for their dictionaries. He loved poetry and a number of his poems are to be found in the college year books. Old boy, Paddy Clement summed it up well when he said “We have lost a great commander of the English language”

While at college, Paul played rugby for the first XV and was in the cricket first XI. Paul was an accomplished athlete as well. He was an NCO in the school Army cadets and a member of the college debating and oratory society. Paul was also a prefect in 1962, then a non prefect due to some late night wanderings!

In an early entrepreneurial display, Paul converted his plastic toilet bag to decant Port the Brothers sometimes left over in their dining room! In the early hours of the morning he would appear by his mate’s bed, unzip the toilet bag and shout a “Port” compliment of the Brother dining room!

On leaving College, Paul achieved a Bachelor Degree in Economics, Statistics and Clinical Psychology at Christchurch University. Paul then worked for the University of Western Australia in Perth as the senior Admin assistant. Later he was to be the Assistant to the Dean and completed a stint as a lecturer at Edith Cowan University in Perth. Interspersed with these roles Paul worked for the Mt Newman Mining company, constructed coal mines for Mitchell Cotts and Bectell in NSW and fixed up some large residential development in Brisbane. He was also a director of his own company.

It has been said that Paul’s hobby was studying. After retiring in 1979 he became bored, started studying again and managed to accumulate a Master of Commerce, four graduate Diplomas in Tax, Finance, and Accounting etc. He then decided to become an Accountant, a company secretary and finally a lawyer. He topped Australia and NSW in three of his company secretary exams!

Paul was special for a number of reasons, highly intellectual but no airs or graces, no status requirements, no superiority inclinations. In his personal life he was good humoured and entertaining. A kind and sincere person, generous, always with an eye for the oppressed and the underdog. Often pro-bono work resulted.

Paul retired again, this time to Nelson where he has battled heart problems for a number of years. Paul is survived by his devoted wife Rosanna of 46 years and son Connuil.

RIP Paul