A tireless advocate for the health of children has died in a freak accident at a Waiheke Island restaurant. Paul Cressey, 80, died after tripping while walking down some stairs and hitting his head following a lunch with his close friends and his wife Sheryn on Tuesday afternoon. He was taken by Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Auckland Hospital, where nurses and intensive care specialists worked tirelessly to save his life. He died the following morning, surrounded by family. His son Mark Cressey paid tribute to the work of hospital staff, who did not know his father was a former longstanding Counties Manukau District Health Board member. Paul was a pharmacist by training who was instrumental in establishing Ronald McDonald houses in New Zealand, following the death of his son Carl from Leukaemia, aged nine.
