Obituary
Maurice Spillane, sportsman
Maurice Spillane, who died in Dunedin last month,(15 Dec 1998)
began making his mark as a talented sportsman early in his life.
At Christian Brothers High School, where he received his secondary education, he won championship trophies at boxing, athletics, cricket and rugby football in 1930, 1931, 1932 and 1933.
He then went into the Dunedin senior rugby team in 1934. In 1936, he played in a strong Marist team while working for the New Zealand Post Office in Wellington, and in 1938 he played four games for the Otago rugby team at . second five-eighth. In that year, he was a member of the Otago team which won the Ranfurly Shield from Southland.
Mr Spillane spent his working life in the clerical division of the New Zealand Post Office, interrupted by war service, and he retired after being an employee at the Chief Post Office in Dunedin.
He was a member of the St Clair Bowling Club, later being made a life member.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Judith (Sydney), John (Sydney), Patrick (Auckland) and Michael (Dunedin). His first wife, Vera, died some years ago.( 21 Oct 1982)
331. David John GRIFFITHS
~ Notes: David lived at Look-out Point Dunedin in early childhood and went to Kindergarten at Forbury Corner, then to St Bernadette's School and on shifting to Atkinson St went to St Pats in Macandrew Rd. At Standard Three went to Christian Brothers High School in Rattray St. and stayed there until end of Form Three. While at CBHS he joined the scouts, cubs through to Senior Scouts.
After leaving school, 1948, went to work for National Cash Register. His wages were 35/- a week of this 30/- went for board. Then he worked for the railways as a junior porter on the platform, starting at 4 a week.
He was working for the railway when he did his compulsory military service. This he did through the Air Force at Hobsonvile for three months.
On arriving back working for the railways realized that there was no future and got a job with Philips Electrical working in the store. While there, he went to Australia, by Flying Boat, this was in 1959, he worked for Philips in Sydney and Melbourne. While there he brought a 1935 American car. This he sold at a loss in Melbourne before travelling back to Dunedin via Sydney, then by Boat to Wellington.
Next he worked for R Wilson & CO a Grocery and Spirit Merchant, where he worked in the office as a invoice
clerk, this required him to add up in his head long columns of figures.
Then he worked for Joe Brown a Promoted as assistant manager were he helped at Balls, catering and M C,
Being front man for Talent Quest and M C for Rock & Roll at the Town Hall dance.
Attended the 1958 Scout Jamberie at One Tree Hill and drove back as a tourist and finding coffee bars up north.
On return opened coffee bar at Cargills Corner, later brought coffee bar opposite Nurses Home in Cashel St
While there leased out coffee bar and started in insurance with Norwich Union.
In 1962 he went for a three weeks holiday to New Caledonia.
In 1963 moved to Christchurch. Returned to Dunedin after resigning from Norwich to go to University, but first went to night school, got a job as postie which gave a full days pay, but finished by lunch time. 1965 went to University of Otago and back to the coffee bar. Sold bar then worked at St Kilda Hotel.
In 1966 Married Rosalie, lived in Pine Hill Rd and Forbury Rd opposite St Bernadette's Church, there Marie was born, 30/1/67 It was 6th of Feb that David joined T & G insurance Rosalie and David moved to Normanby, and in 1969 moved to Invercargill, where David was Sales Manager.
Rachel was born in Dunedin on 8th Dec 1969.
The next move was to Christchurch Birkenhead St. On 28th April 1977 Daniel was born. 1978 saw the family on the move again, this time to Auckland were David had been appointed as Regional Sales Manager. They lived in Marine Parade Birkenhead. Then in 1980 moved to Dunedin to take up as Manager Dunedin. They lived in Greasham Street Anderson Bay. T & G merged with National Mutual.
In 1984 moved to Christchurch on leave, then with a title of assistant regional manager. Lived at 383 Yaldhurst Rd. Shifted in 1887 to closer to the school for Daniel to 19 Craven St. 1990 made redundant, and become agent. Xmas 1993 saw David Rosalie and Daniel visiting Marie and Rachel in Briton.David & Rosalie made to more trips to the British Ilses in 1996 & 1997