Thank you Ewen

Alan Titchall farewells another veteran.

Ewen Major had one of the most positively infectious personalities I have had the pleasure
to meet in this job.

He passed away last month at the age of 85, a good innings (at the least for male longevity in my own whakapapa), for a chap who contributed so much to this industry and life in general.

I met Ewen on his retirement from his long-term job as Auckland Territory Manager for the Cat Rental Store. I spent a lot of time yarning with Ewen, with each story popping out of his endless repertoire more intriguing than the last. His mother, Vincente Major, sang with the National Opera through the 1960s and 1970s and received an MBE for her services. Her talents were passed on and Ewen was known to serenade the contracting fraternity during conferences when there happened to be a piano in the room.

Ewen was born in Balclutha and his father worked for an agricultural machinery manufacturing company which led his son into a career in sales. He married Cheryl Whale, daughter of contracting legend Ivan Whale. His father had set up a machinery agency called Major Enterprises, specialising in concrete gear, and invited Ewen to join them in Dunedin.

With Ewen’s first child on the way, his father-in-law pressured him into a job at his firm in Auckland as plant and equipment manager. This was the start of a career in contracting machinery that included his own company in the 1970s and becoming involved in the Contractors’ Federation (CCNZ). With Bob Youngman of Youngman Richardson, he also help found the NZ Hire Association and is credited with Contract 86, which is said to be the first exhibition to feature live working machinery at an industry show. 

For the last 15 years of his career, Ewen worked for Cat Rental, putting a life of rental equipment experience to good use. He retired at age 79 leaving a legacy in our industry that included serving on the Auckland Executive of the Association from 1983 to 2014. 

Outside of work, Ewen was a golfer, having joined the Grange Golf Club in Auckland in 1963 and enjoying it more in his senior years as it expanded with 28 new holes built on the Grange and Tamaki courses, nine more on the old Middlemore course, plus a new $22-million clubhouse.

Another veteran passes, joining the ever-increasing list of those who our industry and associations must perpetually thank for their organisational and advocacy strength that we enjoy today.