Gordon's Dad, Cliff, passed away on Thursday evening March 5, 2009. He was 84.
His funeral was on Wednesday March 11. This is an excerpt from Gordon's tribute to his father.
"It has been said that the veterans of WW 2 are The Greatest Generation.
Our Father was of that generation – and he was a great man too.
He enjoyed the simple things in life. The title battler aptly describes how he worked hard, endured constant shift work and long hours of overtime to provide for his family and make ends meet. Not too ostentatious; no new cars; grand vacations or big houses; instead; he never dwelled on the bad and was happy to delight in his family and see the positive things his lot in life bought. Life was always good. He was always smiling.
As a soldier, he was my hero; my brothers and I ever so proudly wore his medals to school on ANZAC Day, as was the custom of the times and we delighted in the humorous stories he told of his antics in uniform, mostly of getting into or out of trouble. In later years I was immensely proud to march with him on ANZAC Day, not for my own recognition, but to have the privilege of mixing with him and his mates; all real heroes; who stood up without hesitation; to be counted when they were needed.
He was a good bloke, our mentor, our friend; but most of all we are proud to say he was our Father. We miss you Dad. "
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