With 20 years at AM International and the last 10 as the company’s South Island manager, Paul Hanley knew the printing industry inside out.
Initially trained as a compositor and gaining his apprenticeship at one of the South Island’s longest established printing firms, Wyatt Wilson, it didn’t take Hanley long to move up the ranks.
When he joined AM International in 1986, he came from the position of production manager at Saba Graphics (no longer in operation). AM International managing director, Ian Wood says Hanley soon worked his way up the company, taking various positions, including that of national pre-press manager for AM International while in Auckland.
“He was very much a man’s man who got on well with most people. He was also a very ethical bloke and very loyal – to his customers, his colleagues and the company,” Wood says.
“He hated injustice and fought for his principals so he’d argue his case with you. In other words, if he had a strong opinion you always knew about it.”
Hanley also had a great sense of humour, Ian added, and he loved the racing industry, owning a number of horses over the years. Two of them Points and Picas, as well as Cicero attest to his printing background.
He was the proud part owner of Amazing Charm in 2002 when the horse won the Invercargill Gold Cup, a fact he celebrated well.
Hanley retired from AM International in March of this year because of his illness and passed away in Christchurch on November 6.
Wood says he not only lost an employee and colleague, but has suffered the enormous loss of a friend.
“He will be remembered by many customers and colleagues both past and present as “one of the best.”
Paul Hanley is survived by his wife Rosemary and three grown-up children, Philippa, Edan and Gerrard.
