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One of the great characters, Dad was forever telling filthy, funny jokes, reciting hilarious poems and creating the most elaborate pranks. He loved nothing more than having a 'few' with his mates who were his lifelong friends. A loveable bloke, he had 3 wives during his life, Valda, Joann & Rosemary who all remained in his life throughout it. No-one could really understand why they did, but you just couldn't help but love him. He was the trying yet loving son to Norm & Gwen - his mum Gwen being the absolute apple of his eye. She would sneak lunch to him after he'd been kicked out of home and was always the 'fun' one. He played golf with Norm for many years. He was the annoying yet protective big brother to Phillip & Helen. He and Phillip were best of mates and Phillip tells the story where he and Dad were playing cricket in the back yard one day. Granddad had told them to stop as he could see they going to break the window. They had one last play and the ball sailed straight through the window and knocked the paper clean out of Granddad's hands. They copped a flogging for that one! He would try to stop Helen from going out to certain places because no sister of his was going 'there'...despite raising hell wherever he went himself.
He had questionable, yet ever-entertaining parenting methods to Stephen, Sherry, Jodie & Terri. Always making things more fun, he'd ply us with lollies and ice-creams despite the protests from our Mums. He almost killed me 3 times, but who's counting? We all had our turn at picking him up from the watch house or making sure he was tucked in after a 'big night'. He was there for our weddings, births of our kids and for all the big moments with tears streaming down his face. He was so proud of us all and we always felt that.
He was partner in crime and 'Mongrel' to his lifelong mates Daryl (Dismal) & Robbie G (Luigi), Shieldsy and so many more. They all met as young kids and grew up together. He worked with Daryl for 30 odd years as a welder and Diesel Mechanic. He was legendary around Brisbane for being able to fix anything to do with steel or machinery. Luigi says they would all have to live 2 lives to do the things he did in one. Daryl remembers all the yearly trips to Straddie where he'd play the biggest pranks but Dad would often come home with one eyebrow because he'd passed out first.
He really did it all his way. Thanks for the memories, Dad! TTFN. XXX
