My Grand Father, Died Last Nite.

[RustyGT]

David F.S. 16/11/1912 - 22/04/ 2002

I was undecided about posting this, but thought I should mention the life of a wonderful man.

My GFa, 'David' was born in 1912, the youngest of 12 children.
His eldest brother was 20 years his senior. He had twin sisters 10 years older. His father died when he was eight.

The family lived on the Darling Downs in Southern Queensland.
David as the youngest, got a lot of the "housework" tending the horses,[enjoyed that] splitting wood, cow milking, etc, didnt really get to school much.

Started as an apprentice at "Southern Cross" foundries in Toowoomba. At age Fifteen. Hand reaming white metal bearings for "single lunger" stationery engines. [Among some of the tasks]

Married my Gma 'Marion' in '38
My mum was born '39,

Was a Fitter at Southern Cross at WW2, so deemed to stay at the factory to make machinery rather than go to the war.

Moved on to Mt Morgan. CQ. Gold/Copper mine.

Then to Bowen NQ. Lived there since.

Worked variously as a fitter for the Council power station, and the Merinda meatworks. Lived thru some ugly cyclones.
Drove VW Beetles for years, owned 4 of them.

Retired in the '70s. Ran a Paint/ Craft/ Sewing, Retail Shop with my Gma for 10 years.Built a good workshop under his house, had a big lathe, drill press, welders, grinders, etc.

Became Lord High PooBaah in the Masons in NQ. Late '70s early '80s.Travelled around Aus with his apron.

Although he lived thru the hardest of times, and was politically aware, he was never bitter, was always considered in his views.
And happy to share the humour, of his days 'on the tools'.

Later days spent a lot of time reading, 'deaf as a post' [lifetime working] relaxing, 'breathless' [30 years a smoker] and maintaining an immaculate home.[My G/Folks place]

After seeing those good folk, at that same place, for over 30 yrs [that I remember] Next time I see it, I'll be lost...

My GFa was a wonderful bloke.

The Funeral is Friday.
It won't be easy.
The Eulogy will fall to me.
I hope I can do his 89 years.
Proud.

I'm in tears, Cheers Rusty.

[geekgrl]

I'm so sympathetic... my grandfather has been in the hospital for over a week now.
Please please take care, and know you are in my prayers. PM me if ever you need a shoulder to lean on.

[Agent_Embryo]

I'm sorry to hear that.

I'm sorry for your loss, Rusty

It sounds like he has given you a legacy of warm and happy memories.

Peace.

[caddmannq]

My sympathies, Rusty.
Any guy that keeps a welder and a lathe in his home is OK by me.

[ClubMed]

Hey Rusty. Got a PM my friend. I'm very sorry.

[Angela]

Your grandfather sounds like he was a wonderful and really interesting man, and he must have been so proud of you!

I am so sorry about your loss!

Sad times, Rusty, but good times for remembering a life well-lived.

Thanks for sharing this with us - makes us a bit closer as a family.

Hope you can find the right words to remember your grandfather, Rusty. My wife sang at both her mother and her fathers funerals, 6 years apart. Was hard (real hard for her mother - tragic accident and life support got turned off and all), but she wanted to do it for them, and she did. Same song for both.

So hope you can do the old man proud, mate. I'll be praying for ya.

Cheers
Mick - only a PM away, remember

[Cruez]

Sorry to hear that Rusty....

Make him proud....

[Ritalin Kid]

I lost my grandfather not to long ago only I never really knew him too well but it still hurts but just amke sure to always remember the good times you had with him because when all is said and done that is all that really matters..