Community stalwart dies after long illness

LONG SERVICE: John McDonald, accompanied by his wife, Mary, in 1996 after receiving the Queen's Service Medal for services to education and the community.

Busy school life still allowed time for involvement in local politics

The long-time former principal of Masterton Intermediate School and former deputy mayor, John McDonald, 86, died peacefully in Masterton on Thursday after a long illness, his family said.

Mr McDonald was principal at the intermediate school for 16 years from 1971 to 1986. This followed stints as principal at two other Masterton schools - Harley Street and Lansdowne - for 16 years.

He served two years in East Africa working for the United Nations helping the Tanzanian government establish new-style single teacher primary schools in rural villages.

Mr McDonald also found time and energy to become heavily involved in local body politics and community projects.

He served on the then-Trust Lands Trust for 30 years, including 19 years as trust chairman. He was also elected to the Masterton borough and district councils for a total of 27 years, including two terms as deputy mayor to Bob Francis.

Mr McDonald was also on the Wairarapa Hospital Board for 12 years, half of that time as deputy chairman.

A number of Masterton's prominent landmarks resulted from projects he initiated or championed - such as the Hosking Gardens, the Wairarapa Art and History Museum (Aratoi), and the Joseph Masters Memorial Statue in Queen Elizabeth Park. In the 1990s, he was one of the four early proponents of the soon-to-be completed Masterton Town Square.

In 1996, Mr McDonald received the Queen's Service Medal in recognition of his efforts in education and the community.

Mr Francis said he had kept in touch with Mr McDonald after his retirement and described him as "a great community person" and a "great friend".

"He was a tremendous supporter of mine, in many respects he was my mentor.

"Being a principal, he had a great handle on the English language, and knew how to express himself well.

"He was a bit old school, always dressed immaculately, and conducted himself very professionally."

Mr McDonald's funeral will be held in Masterton at 2pm on Thursday.