Obituary: Michael Shanahan

Michael Shanahan

* Michael Shanahan, lawyer, community worker. Died aged 82.

Mick Shanahan was an endearing, witty Irish Westie who had water in his blood.

A school and university swimming champion, he was born in Dunedin in 1922, one of eight children. His policeman father rode shotgun on the miners' gold coaches in Central Otago and the family lived in various places around New Zealand.

He started school at Oamaru Convent in 1927, went on to Christchurch Cathedral Convent then to St Benedicts and Marist Brothers in Auckland. From there he went to Christian Brothers in Dunedin, ending with four years at Timaru Boys High School.

He graduated with a BA and LLB from Auckland University. In 1955 he set up his own legal practice in New Lynn and remained there for 50 years.

He became prominent in local body affairs as chairman of the western suburbs liquor licensing committee in the late 1960s, turning the dry west wet.

He and his brothers Pat and John were exceptional swimmers. In 1946, they brought the Karekare Surf Club out of recess after the war.

Mick was patron for 20 years and was made a life member in 1961. He was also involved with the Auckland Swimming Association for more than 50 years and was awarded life membership in 1968.

As a member of the Returned Services Association he acted as honorary solicitor to a number of RSA clubs in west Auckland and just a couple of months ago received the Certificate of Merit and M Badge in recognition of his outstanding service to the Auckland District RSA in general and the New Lynn RSA in particular.

Well-known for his bow tie and razor sharp wit, he was elected west Auckland representative for the Auckland Harbour Board in 1974 and became its chairman in 1980.

He received an OBE in 1987 for community services, followed by the Waitakere City Council Millennium Medal in 2000 and key to the city in 2002. He was inducted into the city's Hall of Fame the same year.

Mick Shanahan will go down in Waitakere's history as someone who was larger than life and who really made a difference.

He is survived by his wife, Nancye, sons Alan and Patrick, daughters Mary Anne, Jane and Helen, and their families.