Comments on: RIP Jack McFaull

By: mindscott

mindscott — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:31:13 +0000

It was lovely reading the short tribute to Jack- I met him at Great Uncle Tom’s funeral he was a really lovely man who lived life to the full. Not surprising that travelling to places out the way and not very safe that his attitude was if something happened he had lead a full life!

By: Footplate

Footplate — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:03:25 +0000

Jack was a wonderful man. I worked with him when he was in the Dairy Board and in Muldoon’s office. He was unfailingly a gentleman and a strong thinker. An erudite and humorous person. I shall never forget flying to Singapore with him when he was on his way to Bahrain – we shared a number of libations. I staggered off to the Holiday Inn; Jack went to buy a suit. I understand he was never permitted to wear that suit!

I wish I could have been in Wellington to attend Jack’s memorial. Two hours sounds like a short service to talk about Jack’s achievements.

Jack, you did us proud!

ron h

By: johnnyA

johnnyA — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:21:15 +0000

He was a great man.

This was clear on so many fronts – as a family man, as a loyal friend and colleague and as a contributor to NZ through his military and public service.

DPF summed it up: “if I could have tributes like this made at my funeral, I would have lived a very good and worthwhile life”.

On top of that he was quiet and unassuming with a razor-sharp wit.

As was said a number of times at the funeral, Jack was a “really good bloke”.

By: Christopher Simpson

Christopher Simpson — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:07:00 +0000

I truly can say I have never been to such an inspirational funeral. The 2 hours spent in Kilbirnie outdid any history lesson I ever have attended on NZ Politics. What I found fascinating was that the service covered everything from WW1, the depression, his active service in Italy in WW2, the building of his own house, putting himself through night school to gain his degree, becoming a Captain in the Territorials, his work with the establishment of DPMC as a think tank, his volunteer work and his love for rugby. Then to face his cancer in a matter of fact way and his only regret being he was taking so many memories and all of his knowledge to the grave. All I can say is that Hugh Templeton and Ian McLean summed it up best saying he was a great New Zealander!

By: francis

francis — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:29:34 +0000

Thanks for this, David.

By: mavxp

mavxp — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:25:03 +0000

Nice post DPF.

Sounds like a great example for those who aspire to public service.

By: Johnboy

Johnboy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:56:09 +0000

I rescind my earlier comment Countess you are not equal to a piece of shit like TomS, you are lower than a piece of shit.

Are you too stupid to realise reading the post that David had much respect for Jack McFaull and merely wanted to inform others who may have known him of his passing.

I have heard of him but never knew him but I cannot stand by and see a pathetic little creature like you and your sad friend attempt to make a mockery of his death because he happened to have different political views to yourselves.

Grow up and show a little respect.

By: stupidboy

stupidboy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:54:08 +0000

Countess and Tom, theres a time and place for most things, but this was’nt the place for advancing your agender.
I feel nothing but pity for you both.

By: mikeysmokes

mikeysmokes — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:44:44 +0000

Regardless of politics, disrespecting an obituary is pretty fucking low behaviour

By: Countess

Countess — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:40:57 +0000

Obituary doesnt means only look at the good. And Im being kind. Believe me

By: Johnboy

Johnboy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:28:07 +0000

Countess = Tom Semmens = piece of shit.

Read the post stupid. Its an obituary. Then take your pathetic political points scoring somewhere else.

By: Richard Harman

Richard Harman — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:18:58 +0000

I’ve been in Auckland all week and hadn’t realised he’d died. But it sounds as though the funeral captured the spirit of a remarkable man. I first met him back in the 70s when he was with the Wool Board but he made a significant contribution to a documentary we made two years ago on Ron Brierley with his account of how Muldoon had illegally conspired with Bruce Judge to divert producer Board reserve funds to allow the farmer takeover of Ravensdown Fertiliser. He was a delight to go and spend time with, with his often ribald accounts of political life in this country and the war. He semed like the last of a great generation of New Zealand public servants whose whole view of life had been tempered by their experiences in the depression and during the war. Thanks for the post David.

[DPF: Your comments Richard were mirrored by several at the service. He was a great servant of New Zealand, and a great example of many who served in the war]

By: Countess

Countess — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:12:19 +0000

How wonderfull , a highly political party member who was also a well respected public servant. Of course just as many support National as Labour

You would have to ask that being Muldoons advisor on Primary Production whether it was his advice which led to Muldoons disastrous farming policies. Perhaps Muldoon took his own advice on this and other matters

[DPF: You know it doesn't matter how many aliases you adopt, it always becomes quickly clear who you are through the sheer nastiness. In your own way, you are NZ's version of Fred Phelps - well done. And as you were only 20 demerits off your sixth suspension, you've managed to achieve it]

By: Johnboy

Johnboy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:26:24 +0000

Tom Semmens= TomS?— if so= Piece of shit.

By: Tim Ellis

Tim Ellis — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:09:28 +0000

Mr Semmens, you deserve to be banned.

By: Tom Semmens

Tom Semmens — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:54:42 +0000

DPF: “must not talk about unemployment, must not talk about unemployment must not talk about unemployment oh look an eagle!”

[DPF: You really are a disgusting human being. I've spent most of the day at a funeral. I guess you think I arranged the death to be the same day as the HLFS stats. Anyway it is hard to gain 100 demerits in one go, but you've done it]

By: Paul Williams

Paul Williams — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:46:50 +0000

It sounds like a great send off for a man who lived a full and meaningful life including giving generously to NZ’s political development. Thanks for a lovely post David. I’m sure his family appreciate your memorial.

By: Redbaiter

Redbaiter — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:39:57 +0000

Thanks for a great post.

Jack sounds like a classic old school New Zealander.

By: Gooner

Gooner — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:08:34 +0000

What a wonderful man.

Was Graham Scott there? He also advised Muldoon, then he advised Douglas!!