DEATH IN THE FAMILY: John Gannaway
Peace Researcher 39 – January 2010
- Murray Horton
ABC
expresses our condolences to Noeline Gannaway for the death of her husband, John Gannaway, who died in Wellington
in May 2009, aged 82. Noeline is a long time and generous member who has also
been a very generous supporter of the CAFCA/ABC Organiser Account, which
provides Murray
Horton’s income. Throughout all those years she was looking after a seriously
ill husband. This is her tribute to him. Ed.
His early life was affected by
his mother’s post-natal breakdown, and from infancy John was raised by his
grandmother in the family home at 23
McDonald Crescent. John attended Wellesley College
on The Terrace and at Day’s Bay. He enjoyed art and chemistry, and gained a
prize for writing and drawing. Peter
Harcourt’s history of Wellesley
College recalls an
incident from 1935: “The prizes were to be presented that year by Canon James.
At the appointed time he embarked on the discourse expected of the
Distinguished Guest in such a situation. Unfortunately, he took no account of
his audience’s limited patience. As he meandered on, with no end in sight, it
all became too much for little John Gannaway, sitting down in front. ‘It’s too
long, sir!’ he cried out fervently, giving voice to the general opinion. While
the parents laughed in relief and sympathy, blessing the innocence which
allowed a child to speak while they could not, Canon James acknowledged his
fault and sat down”.
With an interest in wireless,
John had hoped for work in this field, but it was wartime and choices were
limited. His first job was with Kodak in Victoria Street where his wage was
meagre, but he gained a knowledge of photography, and the boss of his department
was to become a firm friend. Next came
radio work with the firm HW Clark in Cable
Street and later with HMV in Wakefield Street, where he helped make
experimental recordings of church and secondary school choirs, the Salvation
Army Band and the Embassy Theatre organ. Then for some years he had his own
business, servicing record changers.
Music of all kinds - from
classical to jazz - was an abiding interest. He made friends with members of
the (then) National Orchestra and. for a time served on the committee of the
Wellington Recorded Music Society, looking after the equipment. Collecting and
researching 78 rpm records was an absorbing hobby. He enjoyed cricket at the
Basin Reserve in summer. John was not by any means a pacifist, but he believed
in fair play, sympathised with the underdog and was scrupulously honest. He had
a wry sense of humour. John always voted Labour and, while I moved to New
Labour, the Alliance,
and finally the Greens, he remained staunch.
The advent of the motorway meant
the demolition of number 23 and adjoining houses in McDonald Crescent and in 1969 John moved
to Wright Street.
We married in 1972. Health challenges had to be faced as John had been
diagnosed with osteoporosis and ankylosing spondylitis (osteoporosis is a disease of bone that leads
to an increased risk of fracture. Ankylosing spondylitis is inflammatory
arthritis of the spine. It causes pain and stiffness in the back, along with
bent posture. In most cases, the disease is characterised by acute painful
episodes and remissions. Ed.).
He was deeply disappointed when failing health prevented him from attending
orchestral concerts, but there was a large collection of 78s, LPs, tapes and
later CDs to draw on, and the Concert Programme was well patronised. He may or
may not have heard his favourite Brahms’ Fourth Symphony being played the
evening he died. In any case, he knew the work by heart.