Michael McMENAMIN Obituary

Am thinking of you at this time. My condolences to you and your family Tio

Mac had a gift of leadership and connecting with people. Such an encourager and comforter of people around him. Great smile and sense of humour that made you feel at ease and confident that on his team we will overcome.

Thank you Mr Mac for your kindness you showed towards your support staff.
You always made a point of acknowledging us by name, our birthdays and at Christmas time. You made everyone of your staff at Freyberg High School feel like we mattered. Nga mihi Mr Mac.

Thank you Mr Mac for your exemplary leadership during your time at Freyberg High School in Palmerston North . As a colleague I truly appreciated you. Glad to have reached out via email some years ago to say these words to you . My Aroha to family in this difficult time .

I was Associate Principal when Mac was Principal of Freyberg from 2003 to 2008. A great mentor and friend. He Led a fascinating life and had incredible people skills. The manner in which he faced the challenges that life threw at him was quite inspiring.

I started at Freyberg in 2004 as a student, the same year Mr Mac started. We all just adored him. At lunchtimes, he would walk around the school, always surrounded by crowds of students calling out to him ("Big Mac!") & giving him high-5s. I´m now a teacher myself & have yet to see another principal with that same pull amongst his students.
In our final year of high school - also Mr Mac´s final year - he met with each Year 13 & took the time to chat with us about our goals, what we´d done well during our time at Freyberg etc. It was he who first suggested I should be a teacher but I balked at the idea - I was about to leave school, I didn´t want to come straight back to work in one!!
Turns out he was right, & I ended up right back at Freyberg where the next principal commented on my final observation that I was a born teacher. I´ve often wondered if I´d have ended up on this path if Mac hadn´t planted the seed.
Gosh, how lucky I was to have had had Mr Mac as my high school principal. I´m sad to hear of his passing but hope the memories, wishes & anecdotes shared provide warmth & comfort to his whanau.
Kua hinga te totara o Te Waonui a Tane. Moe moea, Mr Mac.

An amazing principal of Freyberg High School, Mr Mac established a terrific culture and was such a friendly and approachable man. Rest in peace pal - you will be greatly missed. Condolences and love to your family. #FreybergProud

Joe and I were very saddened to hear of Michael´s passing. Our thoughts and love are with you Tio at this difficult time.

Mac was a generous, kind man who was always positive and future - focused in all that he sought to achieve as HM of NPBHS. A real friend to me and for me... I am saddened to hear of his passing and my thoughts are with Tio and family members Regards.

In the book of our memories, you´ll always hold a special chapter. Rest peacefully, Mr Mac.

Thinking of you & your whanau Mrs Rose. I remember you both so fondly from your time at WGHS.

Tio, I am so very sorry for your loss. I never knew Mac but by all accounts he was such a good man. Love to you and your whanau.

Tio, my deepest sympathy to you and Mac's wider family. Mac was a great boss to work with, always so very positive, and a great friend.

Mac was my Headmaster at NPBHS for 4 years and I really enjoyed my time there. He really went out and got to know his students and was always seen talking to them everyday. He was a good man and will miss him

E te whanau pani tena koutou
Tena koutou i tenei wa pouri
Moe moe ra Rangatira Mr Mac
Takoto mai e koro

Love to the Mc Menamin extended whanau Nga mihi

Dave & Moana Robinson Whanau

Sorry to hear of Mr Mac´s passing,we have many great memories while our boys attended NPBHS! John Jacqui Henry and Charlie Boon

A great man always with a smile, Mac will always be special to me.

A mighty totara has fallen. Mac was an inspiration to us all and will be sadly missed.