Monty Shearer remembered for lifelong service
An occasional cuss word amid the excitement of watching rugby was the only time Monty Shearer was ever less than a gentleman.
Sport was a lifelong passion for Monty, who died on February 13 while playing bowls. The 84-yearold was farewelled last Thursday.
Greg Shearer said his father was an unassuming man who was well regarded by all who knew him.
‘‘There was nobody who didn’t like him and I’ve never heard anybody say a bad word about him. He was a great mentor and friend to me and I will miss him immensely.’’
A keen sportsman, Monty played bowls, golf, tennis, and bridge, and avidly followed rugby and horseracing.
‘‘He was extremely passionate about the All Blacks,’’ Greg said.
Monty was also a keen supporter of his four sons’ sporting activities and in later years, those of his three grandchildren.
In his professional life, Monty was quietly involved with a myriad of organisations.
After attending New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Monty graduated from Wellington’s Victoria University with a Bachelor of Commerce.
He then embarked on a job as an accountant, a career which spanned 58 years.
He set up practice in New Plymouth with the late Bill Stewart and stayed with the firm through various changes until he retired at age 79.
During this time, he served on the numerous boards and committees.
He was a Justice of the Peace for nearly 45 years and was made a life member of the Taranaki Golf Association, after a long term as secretary.
Another passion was bridge and he was a member of the New Plymouth Contract Bridge Club for half a century.
‘‘He was always a real gentleman when you were playing against him at the bridge table,’’ club president Murray Carter recalled.
‘‘He certainly contributed a lot over the years as president, treasurer, and a member of the committee and he always supported new players coming through. He was a life member and that’s a fairly rare honour at the bridge club. We’ve had 14 in 60 years.’’
Monty also had a very long association with the New Plymouth Operatic Society and served as secretary and president.
He is survived by his wife of more than 55 years, Helen.