Mike Curley dies just short of 85th birthday
Long-time Umina Beach Rotary Club member Mr Mike Curley died on Tuesday, July 26, just short of his 85th birthday.
Club president Mr Wayne Dowdle said: "Mike was a dear friend."
He had been a member of Umina Beach Rotary since December 9, 1998.
"Mike had been in Rotary for near 40 years of his life having been in South Sydney, Roseville Chase as a charter member and Lane Cove before transferring to Umina when he and his wife Pamela settled in Umina Beach in 1998," said Mr Dowdle.
"He has been awarded Rotary's highest honour, the Paul Harris Fellow, on two occasions.
"He has been president of our club five times and secretary on 13 occasions and was an extremely good organiser.
"He has been in many ways organising all of us during this time."
Mr Dowdle said: "Mike was born in Paddington on July 31, 1937, and was one of four children, two sisters passing away in 2013 and 2019.
"He is survived by his younger brother Robert who lives in Sydney.
"Mike was married twice: to Liz in 1961 and to Pamela 1995."
Liz died in 2004 and Pam in 2015.
"Mike and Liz had three children together: David who passed away of cancer 2006, Jennie Lee and Matthew.
"Mike has one grandson Michael, who lives in Cairns.
"When he married Pam, he acquired two step children Christopher (in Spain) and Marita who has a daughter Charlotte.
"Michael went to Coogee Public and Kensington Opportunity Schools before attending Sydney Boys High between 1950 and 1954.
"He went on to attend Sydney University to gain his Bachelor of Laws in 1960.
"He was appointed a fellow of several financial institutes covering insurance and management and obtained diplomas in life insurance and financial services during his career.
"Between 1954 and 1961, while completing his degree, Mike worked in the Public Trust Office.
"In 1961, Mike joined the insurance industry in NSW, Qld and WA.
"He held several key positions in various companies being appointed company secretary and state manager in WA, Qld and NSW.
"He was also at one stage general manager for distribution and operations of City Mutual.
"Mike retired in 1996 to then take-up consultancy work where was involved in developing and delivering training, facilitating workshops on life insurance and financial services plus compliance in Australia, China and Vietnam between 1997 and 2015.
"Mike in his younger days was a good rugby player, playing with the Randwick Club first as a junior, then on to reach first grade.
"Mike was also a good rower having rowed in the fours and eights and was a GPS winner. He also rowed in the Olympic trials in 1955.
"Mike loved all sport.
"He managed City Mutual's sponsorship of swimming in Australia between 1981 and 1985.
"Between 1983 and 1986, he was on the NSW Committee for the Commonwealth Games.
"At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Mike was responsible for the Guyana team and in fact carried the Guyana flag in the closing ceremony."
Mr Dowdle said: "Mike will be missed by all who knew him.
"Vale Michael John Curley July 31, 1937, to July 26, 2022."
His funeral service will be held at 2pm today, Monday, August 8, at Greenway Chapel, Green Point.
The service will be streamed and available afterwards for those unable to attend the service, via the Palmdale Group website.
SOURCE:
Media release, 6 Aug 2022
Wayne Dowdle, Rotary Umina Beach