Michael Tynan, OAM, has died at the age of 80 after a long illness.
Mr Tynan was a ‘‘giant’’ of the motor industry, a former president (mayor) of Sutherland Shire and a great supporter of community groups and charities in the shire and St George.
Shire councillor Kevin Schreiber, a long-time friend, said Mr Tynan died at home, surrounded by his family.
“This is a very sad day for our community,” Cr Schreiber said.
“He put the shire first in everything he did.”
Mr Tynan was born in Carlton in 1935, and was educated at Marist Brothers High School, Kogarah.
After working as a farm hand, he took a job in a general warehouse, where he worked in the jewellery department.
He opened a jewellery shop at Kogarah before his hobby of driving motor rally cars led him into the motor industry.
Mr Tynan began selling cars from an old petrol station at Sutherland in 1966 and went on to become one of the shire’s biggest employers and a leader in the motor industry.
He served on Sutherland Shire Council for 18 years from 1974 and was president (mayor) in 1975-78 and 1988-89.
After leaving the council, he continued to be very influential as the Liberal Party’s patriarch in the shire.
Mr Tynan was a member of the board of the NRMA for 12 years from 2003 and, during nine years as deputy president and head of the finance committee, helped turn around the organisation, which had been torn apart by faction fighting.
His strong support of Calvary Hospital Kogarah for more than 35 years was indicative of his commitment to the local community.
Mr Tynan was chairman of the hospital board and a community advisory board, and served on the national board of Calvary Health Care.
Through his company Tynan Motors, he sponsored a host of community organisations and charities over nearly half a century.
Mr Tynan and his wife Annette made their home in Sylvania Waters, where they raised five children.
He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Queen’s Medal and Australian Bicentennial Medal in recognition of his service to local government.
MORE TO COME
