2004 January - time Marching on for Stephen's growing family and February coming birthdays

From: Margret

Sent: 31/01/2004 12:41 p.m.

February 2004 Time is Marching On Not many of us know the children of Mari and Jack and its time to focus on Stephen, their son, brother to Jo-Ann, who will be mother-of-the-bride in some 16 weeks time. Stephen J McDonald was born in October 1960 and educated at nearby Wainuiomata Primary School before going onto Wainuiomata College.  His grandfather, our Uncle Jack Fenton, must have passed on the 'motorbike genes' to Stephen.  This young man had a real love of motorbikes from very early age as he owned his first one at 12 years and was racing them the following year.  He began his working life with Firestone, leaving the firm when he was 17 years.  He was invited by a close family friend to live with them, he moved to Australia to join the Boyle family.  Mr Frank Boyle was one of New Zealand's leading speedway racers, who, ironically, raced against Uncle Jack in those earlier years.  Stephen worked for Kawasaki Motorcycles in Brisbane and thus he could continue his racing.  He left this racy lifestyle and began employment with a wholesale company.  Specialising in Australian souvenirs, Stephen worked for 20 years with the same company having progressed to being a partner in the business. During his time with the company, Stephen married Patricia, usually known as Trish, and thus he decided to leave the company and set up his own agency.  He travels the length and breadth of Australia and this means that he is away from home for some 30 weeks a year.  His business is lucrative, this being Australian Souvenirs and Clothing.  Trish and Stephen are the parents of Kirsty (18 years) and Ricky (15 years).  Kirsty is working in the hospitality industry and Ricky is at college.  Stephen's business interests have taken him to Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Bali, New Zealand, searching out agency lines.  He is talking about possibly retiring from this business sometime during the next twelve months.  During the year along with his family, they visit their friends on South Stradbroke Island, and Ricky has the opportunity to drive the boats.  (Contributions from Jack) February birthday cakes for Margret, Uncle Hip and Jackie           Margret 7th Feb, catching up to Dennis  Dad (Uncle Hip) 21st Feb - with grandson, Rangi, with the old homestead at Rona Road  Jackie, 27th February and huband a daughter