Best of 2019: A totara has fallen: Special mass held for Tracy O'Brien

The Kavanagh College gymnasium was packed for a special Mass dedicated to principal Tracy O'Brien who died suddenly this week. Photo / Linda Robertson

This summer the Chronicle is bringing you another look at some of the best content of 2019. This story originally ran on March 22, 2019

"A totara has fallen in the forest of Tane."

That was how former Cullinane College principal Tracy O'Brien's sudden death was described at a special mass held in his honour at Dunedin's Kavanagh College yesterday.

More than 1000 people attended, including pupils, staff, parents, former pupils, politicians, and representatives of other Dunedin schools, the New Zealand Catholic Education office and the Ministry of Education.

In tribute to the 54-year-old principal and his great sense of humour, the service was kept light-hearted and filled with anecdotes of his quick, dry wit.

Deputy principal Steve Read said O'Brien would have told those at the mass, in the sweltering school gymnasium, to be comfortable.

"He would say, 'It's very hot in here, and if you want to take your jacket off, do so'.

"You can also loosen your tie - he was a great fan of that too."

Those paying tribute said he was a highly respected educator and a "beautiful" man who treated pupils and staff like family - not just while they were at the school, but long after they had left as well.

O'Brien's body is now in his home town of Whakatane, awaiting his official tangi tomorrow.

Kavanagh College board of trustees chairman Trevor Thomson said Read would be the school's acting principal until a permanent replacement could be found.

"We are hoping the successful person will be able to start in the third term."