All members of the Club were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Past President and former Rotary Assistant Governor, Michael Fagg, at home in Otaki on Waitangi Day, after a long illness with blood cancer. Michael was organising things for Rotary right to the end. As Heather said, that was his way, he was always thinking of others and wanting to do his best, despite his own significant health issues.
Michael was truly the epitome of ‘service above self ’.
He was President of our Club in 2010/2011 and for a further six months into the 2011/12 year. He teamed with others in the club to do some outstanding fund raising projects eg our lego exhibition which raised thousands of dollars for community projects. Michael and Heather moved to Otaki and Michael quickly became involved in the Otaki Rotary Club being Secretary for five years, an Assistant Rotary District Governor for three years, and honoured by District Rotary with multiple PHF sapphire pins for leading the District End Polio campaign for a number of years.
Michael and Heather were part of a Distrct 9940 team that went to India in January 2011 while still in the Karori Club to help with the polio vaccination programme and were there when the last Polio victim wa identified. Michael recalls it was a great personal experience. He led many End Polio Now fundraising events in our District and beyond with Rotary colleagues in Australia, especially for the Rotary World Convention in Sydney with fund raising meals and promotions.
In recent times Michael worked with colleagues in District Rotary and with the Otaki Club in forming Mana Tangata for Clubs struggling with their numbers, many of whom have now joined Mana Tangata to stay in Rotary.
A public celebration of Michael’s life and service which took place in Waikanae on 18 February was well attended by District Rotarians and a wide representation of other friends to pay tribute to a great community servant.
Our heartfelt thoughts are with Heather and all the family in their very sad loss.