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Issue Number 32, October 2009
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Kapatiran Issue
No. 32, October 2009
DEATH IN THE FAMILY
PSNA 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 foundation
member, and an extremely generous donor who has always
contributed towards every PSNA speaking tour and appeal.
For years she filled the invaluable role of patiently
writing to high ranking Philippine officials (up to, and
including, the President) protesting case after case of
human rights violations. Sometimes she would get a reply
from some shamefaced Police or military officer, trying
to assure her (and us) that they were doing everything
possible. 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. 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”.
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