Roger Paul Georgieff

13 March 1963 – 15 December 2024

Roger was diagnosed with terminal cancer in February of this year and was given about eight months to live. He passed away yesterday, by choice, through the Assisted Dying programme.

He was 61.

Over recent weeks I have shared a couple of catch-up coffees with him and to again enjoy his company and to find out more of his considerable life; and particularly, his life in cricket.

Roger attended Christchurch Boys’ High School where, upon leaving, he entered the grocery trade by joining J Rattray and Son, a large and well-established grocery wholesalers’ business. Later, he was with the Market Gardeners group as the Head of Procurement for Summerfruit NZ of which he was made a Life Member for his 30 years’ service.

He joined the Heathcote Cricket Club around1971 in the schoolboys’ sections before playing in various adult teams from 1976. He remained with this club until his death. His service included as a social player but more especially as a first-class administrator.

His service to Christchurch cricket was massive and cannot be understated.

He served the Heathcote club from 1980 until 2008; roles include President, Club Captain, Secretary and Treasurer. In 2005 he was elected as a Life member. He continued to serve the club as grounds preparation to the time of his death.

He was voted onto the Christchurch Suburban Cricket Association at an early age in 1982, and, ultimately, was elected a Life member. He served as its chairman from 2000 until its dissolution in 2012. This moment was a major watershed in club cricket in Christchurch. Roger and Lee Germon, CEO of Canterbury Cricket, both shared the vision that the amateur game in Christchurch should be run as one and sit under the one banner. The Suburban clubs met and, with some reluctance, voted their Association out of existence with its new body to be called Christchurch Metropolitan Cricket Association.

Roger sat as a Board Member of the inaugural board. He retired from this board after his initial term in 2015 sure in the knowledge that this was the best way forward for club cricket. Roger was elected a Life Member in 2016. Roger was convinced of this vision and he cajoled and badgered the small pockets of opposition towards his thinking. He was delighted with the excellent progress of club cricket over the last ten years.

He did not only serve Christchurch cricket. He chaired Canterbury United football for five years and was on its board for ten years. He was a team manager at Sumner Rugby Club for 12 years, including ten as the Premiers’ manager. Further, Roger was chairman of the Riccarton Sports Hall Trust for three years until his illness.

Everything Roger did was with gusto and at a pace. Arriving at the last minute at a meeting, making decisions around the committee table, arriving at a rendezvous.

So, we arrive at the present and a very personal and private time for Roger. I asked Roger how did he arrive at the decision to end his life? It was with the family. How unbelievably brave, how sad!

How did he wish to be remembered? He made many life-long friends and, as ever understated, “I gave a bit back.”

Roger has found it difficult to let go but he bears no bitterness.

So, dear and valued friend, this moment is so sad. It has been a privilege to know you in your busy life that has achieved so much and given to so many.

In Roger’s own inimitable way, “it is what it is.”