McKay, Thomas Wilfrid (Tom) Biography 1991

McKAY, Thomas, Wilfred, (Tom)
New Zealand 1990 Medal
Managing Director, McKay Electrical Co. Ltd, McKay Industries Ltd
Born Lower Hutt 2 July 1907, son of David Alexander McKay and Elizabeth Bessie (née Lidstone); Married (1) Mona Chapman, 1934 (died 1936); (2) Margaret Jean Gordon, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth MA Gordon, 1939; two sons, two daughters
Education: Napier Central School, Napier Technical College, Bennett College, England, Electrical by correspondence; NZ Electrical Tech BE 154
Royal NZ Air Force 1943-45 (LAC)
Apprentice Electrician 1922-25, electrician Hector McGregor Ltd 1925-32 (Involved reticulation Napier–Hastings and district); own business, T W McKay Ltd, Napier, 1932-37 (wired many new buildings Napier, Hastings after the earthquake); established McKay Electrical, Dargaville 1936 followed by Whangarei, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Invercargill, Rarotonga companies; also formed Don McKay’s Service Centre, Dargaville Concrete Products, C & S Plumbers, Dargaville Diggers, McKay Finance, Dargaville, Whangarei, Kaitaia; carried out electrical contracts in hospitals, fire stations, Whangarei glass works, Marsden Point Oil Refinery, harbour works, Paremoremo Prison, Bluff aluminium smelter, Rarotonga airport and hotel; established McKay Industries Ltd, to manufacture pvc meter boxes, indoor circuit boxes 1975; retired 1991
Member, Dargaville Rotary Club more than 50 years (Paul Harris Fellow); Former Member, Dargaville Borough Council, Deputy Mayor, Chairman, Finance, Works and Waterworks Committees, 1938-65; 27 years service, Dargaville Fire Service, (Life Member); Former Chairman, Dargaville Primary and Secondary Schools, Dargaville High School Board of Governors; Current Member, Tai Tokerau Business Development Corporation
Address: 20 First Avenue, Dargaville