A St Bede's Old Boy who started his family's history with the school

Denis was born in Darfield in 1929. When he was six, his family moved to a farm at Flaxton, just out of Rangiora, where he and his eight brothers and sisters grew up, a great lifestyle for country kids. He started school at St Joseph’s Rangiora, moved into town to Marist where he stayed with his Grandmother during the week. Denis won a scholarship to St Bede’s where he started his secondary schooling in 1943. By this time there were seven other siblings. Denis enjoyed his time at St Bede’s both in the academic and sporting fields and seemed destined for an academic career, but left school at the end of 1945 when his father became ill and he as the eldest son, took over running the family farm.

Denis was followed to St Bede’s by his brothers Maurice 1948-1948, Pat 1947-1948, Bede 1949-1951, Raymund 1951-1955 and Jim 1954-1959. All the while he continued with his studies by correspondence and achieved University Entrance status. Although he would have liked to become a doctor, he found himself running the farm as his father’s health deteriorated and eventually took over completely, turning it into a dairy farm with town milk supply, helped at times by his brothers. Denis became involved with Young Farmers, Athletics (long distance running) and was part of the first Diocesan Pastoral Council after Vatican 2.

Denis married in 1955 and had six children, one daughter and five boys. All of the boys followed their father to St Bede’s College, Richard 1971-1975, David 1974-1977, Simon 1977-1980, Denis Jnr 1981-1983 and Matthew 1987-1991. All the boys went on to tertiary education. Tragedy struck the family when Simon died unexpectedly in Australia in 1989.

In 1992, Denis went to Wanaka to join son David on his sheep and beef farm down there. He met Heather shortly after and they married in 1994, combining their two families. At the end of 1994, they toured to Russia with the Cathedral Choir and Orchestra, which was an unforgettable experience led by John Adams (now Father John) and Don Whelan. They have since visited Europe, the UK and Ireland where they both have ancestors. Denis has been a loyal Lions Club member for 53 years and is currently a member of the Rolleston Club.

Denis now has eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Grandson Benjamin Power was a Bedean 2004-2008 as were nephews Paddy 1979-1983, Dan 1980-1984, Michael 1984-1988 and John 1994-1998. The most recent family member to attend St Bede’s was Adam Roder 2015-2019, a great nephew.

Denis and Jim are the only siblings left of the original Power family, Denis at 91 and Jim 80. Denis has macular degeneration and is unable to see well, but is still a proud Old Boy of St Bede’s.