THE CAUSEWAY www.thecauseway.co.nz
August 2024
The Herald Island life and times of Eddie Grassick 1948 – 2024 Eddie’s family purchased the Herald Island Four Square along with the Petrol Pumps in the early 1970s. Eddie worked in the Four Square shop and was the forecourt petrol pump attendant selling Super and Regular petrol. Eddie’s family purchased a house on Ferry Parade and Eddie purchased the flats next to the Four Square and dairy shop. Eddie rented his flats and used the big shed behind the flats to set up Eddie’s Herald Island Lawn Mowing Services. Everyone could always recognize Eddie in his checked shirt and white pith helmet. Eddie was also a Herald Island volunteer fireman. The Volunteer Fire Engine was kept at 57 Ferry Parade until 1993. Eddie was the caretaker of the Herald Island Community Hall for more than three decades, seeing to all maintenance and taking all bookings and money. Eddie was a member of the Herald Island Residents and R a t e p a y e r s Association Committee for many decades. He was also the caretaker for the fire station and the Herald Island Post Office, and later Museum. Most of the Herald Island community equipment was stored in Eddie’s shed next to the Four Square, including the Santa Claus Christmas Parade red Santa sled. Eddie Grassick was for more than three decades, dressed up as Santa Claus on the sled, throwing lollies to residents from the sled, as it was towed around the island on Christmas Day in the Christmas Parade. Eddie owned a boat, an 18 foot kauri clinker cabin boat with a Yanmar inboard diesel, which he used in the Upper Harbour. Eddie sold his Boat in 1995. The Herald Island Boating Club Inc was founded by island yachting residents in 1979.Eddie Grassick was not the first Boating Club Custodian, Cyril Leishman of Coleman Avenue was. On Cyril’s death, Eddie was appointed by the Boat Club, Wharf Custodian, and later also the Community Wharf Custodian. Eddie was also appointed the Boating Club treasure, responsible for all wharf bookings and all money, which Eddie performed faithfully for almost four decades. Eddie was also mooring officer as the HIBC owned three moorings in those days. Eddie had a great knack for getting things done. He always knew who to contact at the Council, Auckland Transport, Harbour Board, Wharf Police, or anyone else with specific responsibilities.
Eddie inherited a black and white cat named Guinness. Guinness preferred to live on the wharf rather than in a house on the reserve. So he took up residence and was the Boat Club Cat. Guinness loved fresh fish and cat biscuits. The seagulls and ducks also liked Guinnness’s cat biscuits. When Eddie walked onto the wharf shaking the packet of biscuits, Guinness ran to his bowl, the seagulls lined up on the wharf handrail, waiting for their biscuits and the ducks swam around in circles under the wharf, waiting for their biscuits. Eddie was nicknamed the “Mayor of Herald Island”. Any dignitaries who visited Herald Island would be hosted by Eddie. Eddie will be sorely missed by all, and there will never ever be another Eddie of Herald Island. Craig Carr, Herald Island Boating Club.
NEWS & VIEWS • Calendar
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• Indie Writer’s Festival
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• Penk’s Pen
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• Kumeu Arts Exhibitions
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• Kumeu Arts July Exhibitions
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• Herald Island Library News
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• Kiwi landscape designer wins gold at Asia’s Singapore Garden Festival
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• New Services at CAB Massey
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• Ask Dr. Heather
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• Honey Honey Honey
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• Herald Island Garden Club
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• Club News, a free community service
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• Trade & Professional service listing
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• Tide Tables
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www.thecauseway.co.nz & Email: news@thecauseway.co.nz - August 2024
August 2024 -