Retirement living titan Michael Eggington fondly remembered: brother’s promise
DCM Group CEO Chris Baynes’ obituary on the passing of one of Australia’s retirement living has struck a chord with sector leaders.
The article was the most-read story in last Tuesday’s free newsletter while the post on the DCM Group’s LinkedIn page attracted 25 comments.
One person to share the article was Michael’s brother Dave, Founder & CEO at Avnir Group, which is celebrating 34 years in the building and construction industry.
Dave was happy for us to publish his comment to Chris’ story on his brother:
“Rest in peace brother!! As you have requested, it will be with pleasure putting your Porsche through its paces!! Yes!! I will look after it!! You will be missed!!”
A celebration of Michael’s life was held at Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens, North Ryde, on Tuesday, 13 January. He passed away in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, aged 70, on 3 January.
Michael had joined the village sector in the late 1980s in Adelaide, and has been a leader ever since, most recently in the UK and Italy.
Most of the comments were from people who fondly remembered working with Michael:
Rod Fehring, Executive Chairman, Frasers Property Australia: “Sad news. Mike worked to make the lives of others better by choice. He will be missed.”
Fiona Somerville, Managing Director at Acquaint: “Oh my goodness what sad news. I loved working with Michael. He was wonderful.”
Gabriele Molari MBA: “It was an honour to have known Michael and to have appreciated both his personal and professional qualities.”
Genell Dunn, Senior Property Sales & Marketing, Catholic Healthcare: “So incredibly sad! I was honoured to work for Michael at Lendlease and was touched by his kindness and warmth. We hosted an event with the wonderful Ita Buttrose at our Bowral village and he was one of the few that could get away with telling Ita he loved the Cold Chisel song they wrote about her. A wonderful man who will be sorely missed.”
Stewart Nettleton, Director at Newquest Property: “Very sad and so young. I worked under him at Stockland RL and he gave me a lot of time and advice as I knew little of RL.”
Mark Dickinson, former Head of Lendlease Development Americas: “Michael was so generous with his time and I learned much from him; this is very sad news.”
Marie Millar, Head of Organisational Capability Metcash: “That is terribly sad news, I also worked with Michael at Lendlease & he was a beautiful Man. RIP.”
Tania Betts, Chief Financial Officer, Careflight: “Very sad to hear this news. Michael was a wonderful leader to work for when I was at Stockland and taught me a lot about the retirement living industry.”
