Paul Cressey ONZM
 
Paul was President of the Rotary Club of Howick which sponsored the establishment of the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay Club in 1989, and he joined shortly after his term as Past President of Howick ended. 

Paul subsequently became President in 2007 and served in a number of capacities in the Club including two extended terms as Treasurer. He retired from Rotary in February this year to concentrate on his Chairmanship of the Howick Community Menzshed, and a project which he had been invited to join with the Ministry of Health.

Unfortunately, his untimely passing was literally days away from the completion of the shed which he had worked for tirelessly over the last four years to get established.
The shed is a fitting legacy he leaves behind, along with his huge contribution to the establishment of the Child Cancer Foundation and Ronald McDonald House, Deputy Chair of Counties Manukau District Health Board, various Ministry of Health projects, Chair of South East Auckland Life Education Trust, Board member of The Royal NZ Plunket Society and many other organisations and projects in which he has been actively involved. 

The health and wellbeing of our people and particularly children have always been Paul’s priority, and it was fitting that he was appointed in 2007 as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in recognition of his service to the Child Cancer Foundation. Paul and Sheryn lost a son to cancer

The contributions to Rotary  by Paul and Sheryn and especially to the community have also been recognised by Rotary with both being awarded Paul Harris Fellowships.

Paul has been an outstanding leader, mentor, and visionary. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.