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In MemoriamFrank Shields - 1931-1 November 2012
In 1954 they headed to Montreal, Canada to live. They spent 5 or 6 years in Canada before returning to the UK, eventually deciding to migrate to New Zealand. Although they lived most of their adult years, and raised their family, in Upper Hutt, it wasn't until after Frank retired in 1990 that they joined the Irish Society, Frank even serving on the Management Committee for a period. Tom Cassidy - 20 December 1928-15 October 2012
Belfast born and bred, Tommy lived most of his adult in the Hutt Valley, but never lost his accent, nor his attachment to Ireland. Nor his involvement in the Irish Society, to the extent that he served on the Management Committee on several occasions. Tommy was often one of the earliest to arrive at Society functions, to ensure he had a prime spot from which to observe the proceedings. On St Patrick's Day, he was often accompanied by large number of his 'clan', and would be a notable presence throughout the entertainment of the day. He had an irrepressable sense of humour and fun, and many remember his seemingly endless fund of stories and jokes. Indeed, in his later years, after mastering the intricacies of email and the internet, he provided his friends with a constant stream of gags, witticisms, and humour sites to visit. Tommy represented a generation now fading into history, leaving us with indelible recollections. We'll not see his like again. Peg Shields - 1927-10 October 2012
In 1954 they headed to Montreal, Canada to live. They spent 5 or 6 years in Canada before returning to the UK, before eventually deciding to migrate to New Zealand. Although they lived most of their adult years, and raised their family, in Upper Hutt, it wasn't until after Frank retired in 1990 that they joined the Irish Society, and, in Peg's words, were "immediately made to feel at home." Danny Forde - 9 May 1927-19 September 2012
In 1956 he decided to come to New Zealand, working in Auckland for a short time before moving on to Wellington. He met his wife Dorothy at the Wellington Irish Society and was married in 1958. They lived in a rented house in Titahi Bay for 3 years where there oldest son John was born. They then built a house Wainuiomata where their other sons, Michael, Martin and Peter were born. Danny loved sport and played hurling at the Feis’s; he also loved playing darts, pool and indoor bowls and often had competitions between Hutt and Wellington Irish Societies. He also loved golf and looked forward to the St Patrick’s Day golf played every year. Danny died peacefully at Wellington Hospital after a long battle with a number of cancers. He is survived by his wife and four sons. May he now rest in peace. Patrick Francis (Peter) O'Reilly - 9 June 1929-3 August 2012
At about 18, like so many of his generation, Peter went 'across the water', ending up working in English coal mines. Although he missed the countryside of home, Peter took the chance to move to Australia and work in the copper and coal mines in the Northern territory. The climate didn't suit him, however, and in 1961 he moved across the water again, but this time he ended up working in the new Project building the Manapouri Power Station. Hard work was matched with long breaks away from the Project during which Peter visited Christchurch, and it was on one such trip he met Colleen, at a Christchurch Irish Society function in 1962. They married in Invercargill a few months later. Colleen moved back to Christchurch while Peter continued working in the Manapouri tunnel and Powerhouse. In 1963, tiring of the separation, they moved to Akatarawa near Upper Hutt, bought land and a house, and began raising their three children - Thomas, Bernadette, and Jacqueline. The move and change of family circumstances didn't change his attitude to work, however, and he remained throughout his life dedicated to delivering quality work. The HVIS benefitted from this dedication as he voluntarily gave his time and skills to the building of the Society's new premises in Raroa Road. Over his long life, Peter became a well-known and respected identity in Upper Hutt, acknowledged by those he met as a 'true Irish gentleman' - honest, courteous, energetic, dedicated to his family, his wide circle of friends, fishing,, swimming, and his Jack Russell terrier. His passing leaves a gap his many friends will struggle to fill. Neasa Scanlon - 31 July 1974-23 July 2011
Neasa had been a great asset to the Irish community in Wellington over a number of years, giving freely of her time. Many would have heard her lovely voice on the Capital Irish radio sessions or heard her play at sessions at Kitty O'Sheas and other musical events. The Hutt Valley Irish Society is particularly grateful for the time she gave with the children of the club - teaching and playing with them as they learnt and performed songs. She was farewelled on Thursday 28 July at 1pm at Old St Pauls, with a celebration of her life at the HVIS premises later that day. Watch Neasa, as part of Glór na mBan, perform the Irish song "Máire Mhór" or a set of Irish reels, at the Mayfair cafe, Upper Hutt, New Zealand May 9th 2006. Or see the group's entry on www.myspace.com.
John Sheppard
He continued to participate in events and to make friends at the club and enjoyed the card evenings until recently. Members will remember his smiling face and enjoyment of events. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family - John's wife, Marian, and children John, Angela, Fiona, Tony and their families.
Tim Cahill - 11 May 1924-12 December 2009
Originally from Co Limerick, Tim arrived in New Zealand in 1956 from England, where he had met Nancy, who was also Irish. His many friends Tim as a lively debater, who often triggered debates for the sheer enjoyment of them. But he also liked nothing better than to re-tell long, often rambling stories and tales. He was always an active fellow; when young he enjoyed cross-country running, and athletics, as well as playing hurling and Gaelic football. And he enjoyed getting onto the dancefloor. In later years, and especially in his retirement to Napier, he turned his considerable energy to his garden. In addition to his active involvement in the Hutt Valley Irish Society, of which he and Nancy were Life Members, he was also involved with the Harbour Board and the Maritime Museum, as well as the Petone Workingmen's Club. Kevin Regan
After getting a bit of money behind them in various jobs in the South Island, the two brothers started up Regan Bros Contractors in 1965. They worked all over Wellington doing the backbreaking ground work for many subdivisions such as Stokes Valley, Parkdale, Redwood, Tawa. Much of their work was the type others didn’t want to take on – where machinery might not fit so it was it was pure sweat, muscle and determination that saw the jobs through. Kevin had a huge work ethic and it was a big part of who he was. Over the years he also had many interests. He applied the "no half measures" philosophy to everything he did in life. His so called 'retirement' (he never did retire from work) gave him time to spend more time with his family. Kevin was a great storyteller and family life was full of fun and inevitable laughter. He was a real 'character', and someone who could always be counted on by his many friends, neighbours and local community. After a very short illness, Kevin passed away on 22 February 2010 surrounded in his home by his wife and three daughters. May he be resting in peace.
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John
Sheppard came to NZ in 1956 on the Captain Cook. John and Marion
settled in the Hutt. He was a mechanic and owned BP Service Stations
in Petone. John joined the club in the early days of the old house.
He was a generous benefactor and served on the committee and was
a tireless member working for the benefit of the club He was highly
respected by the Irish community. 
