Maurice Spillane, who died in Dunedin 15 Dec 1998 began making his mark as a talented sportsman early in his life. At Christian Brothers High School, where he received his secondary education, he won championship trophies at boxing, athletics, cricket
and rugby football in 1930, 1931, 1932 and 1933. He then went into the Dunedin senior rugby team in 1934. In 1936, he played in a strong Marist team while working for the New Zealand Post Office in Wellington, and in 1938 he played four games for the Otago
rugby team at second five-eighth. In that year, he was a member of the Otago team which won the Ranfurly Shield from Southland. Mr Spillane spent his working life in the clerical division of the New Zealand Post Office, interrupted by war service, and he retired
after being an employee at the Chief Post Office in Dunedin. He was a member of the St Clair Bowling Club, later being made a life member.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Judith (Sydney), John (Sydney), Patrick (Auckland) and Michael (Dunedin).
His first wife, Vera, died some years ago.