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Chronicle
2015-2016
John Kennedy
McQuilkin
4915
Aged 88
Ken was the only son of Dr JP McQuilkin and
his wife Rena. His early education was at
Elmwood Primary School. He attended Christ’s
College from 1939 to 1944, starting as a boarder
in Flower’s House, then becoming a dayboy
in Harper House. After a year at university in
Christchurch, he joined an Auckland chemical
firm as a salesman.
The firm prospered and expanded, ending up as
Chemby Industries Limited, a holding company
with five subsidiary companies dealing with
a large range of products and commodities,
including the manufacture and distribution
of plastic raw materials, bulk chemicals and
selected machinery, including wool scouring
plants that were sold worldwide. In 1982,
Chemby Industries Limited became a public
listed company on the stock exchange with Ken
and his business partner each owning 26% of
the shareholding.
During a successful business career, he travelled
widely and followed his favourite sports of fly
fishing, jet boating, skiing and deer stalking.
After the death of Joan, his wife of 61 years,
and his retirement, he sold their Christchurch
and Queenstown properties and moved to his
daughter’s farm on the outskirts of Christchurch.
Ken is survived by three sons, Tony (8107),
Gerard (9474), John (9734) and two daughters,
Sue and Jane, 10 grandchildren and seven
great-grandchildren.