They may not have been ‘cheering from the grandstand’ when David Haire scored ’99 not out’ but he scored some very warm wishes and a special morning tea at St Joseph’s Church last weekend.
Born into a farming family, David grew up at Turrawan on the family property Montana owned by his parents Patrick and Anita Haire. David worked at the Rural Bank during the war years and then returned to Montana to work with his father.
He met his future wife Carmel Gleeson, of Larola, Tambar Springs, through a church organisation known as the National Catholic Rural Movement.
They married at St Joseph’s Church on September 3, 1957, and raised a family of five on their mixed farming property Argyle, at Tambar Springs. – Patrick, Timothy, Brigid, Gerard and Damien. Over the next 48 years, David lived the life of a farmer, with its highs and lows and hard work, before semi-retiring into Gunnedah, where he and Carmel live happily in their unit.
The celebration started after Friday Mass with a luncheon in the presbytery, and continued in the parish hall after Mass on Sunday, where son Patrick Haire thanked parishioners for hosting the morning tea and celebrating his father’s 99 years. He also expressed gratitude for the ongoing support of their parents, including lifts to church and other events.
David spoke from the heart thankful for his long life, his faith, family and friends.
David Haire with wife Carmel cutting the birthday cake.
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