From Robert Hall, President of the Victorian Branch of the OTVA

MERVYN THOMAS COOPER PASSED AWAY ON 8^TH NOVEMBER 2012 AGED 77 IN THE IC UNIT MONASH MEDICAL CENTRE CLAYTON VICTORIA.

HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE ISABELL AND DAUGHTER JENNY AND SON-IN-LAW STUART AND MUCH LOVED PAPA OF MEGAN AND TWINS WILLIAM AND JACOB

WHO WERE BORN ONLY SEVERAL DAYS AGO.

MERVYN REQUESTED A PRIVATE CREMATION, HELD BY THE FAMILY ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 13TH 2012.

AT AGE 14 MERVYN COMMENCED WORK AT AUSTRALIA POST TOWNSVILLE QLD IN 1949 AS A POSTAL OFFICER/POSTAL CLERK UNTIL 1949.

1954 TO 1956 MERVYN SERVED IN THE RAAF AS RADIO/TELEGRAPHIST IN SOUTH MELBOURNE BARRACKS

MERVYN JOINED OTC (A) ON THE 17/10/1956  AS TRAFFIC/ASSISTANT GR.1 MOR APPOINTED TELEGRAPHIST 13/8/1959 – ITO – SITO  etc. UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT 1987/88

From Robert Hall, President Victorian Branch of the OTVA

LESLIE FOLEY : PASSED AWAY ON SUNDAY 29^TH APRIL 2013 AGED 84

AFTER A LONG BATTLE WITH CANCER. OUR SINCERE SYMPATHY TO HIS WIFE MOIRA AND SONS JOHN AND MICHAEL AND FAMILY  AND FRIENDS. A PRIVATE FUNERAL SERVICE WAS HELD ON FRIDAY 3^RD MAY 2013 AT 10AM.

AT THE GATEWAY/GRANT FUNERALS, CORNER WELLS ROAD & THAMES PROMENADE CHELSEA HEIGHTS 3196.

THERE WAS ABOUT 50/55 IN ATTENDANCE INCLUDING 11 OTC COLLEAGUES

NAMELY: GEOFFREY WHITMORE, JOHN CAULFIELD, GRAEME MCKENZIE (PRES.)

CHARLIE MICALLEF, EDDIE HOPE, ROBERT HALL, MARY TANCHEFF, JUNE FERGUSON AND DAUGHTER LOUISE COONEY, KENNETH MCARTHUR AND GARY KELLY.

MICHAEL FOLEY’S  EULOGY ON HIS FATHER WAS INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING AND EDDIE HOPE REMINISCENCED OF A 49 YEAR FRIENDSHIP.

LES WAS BORN IN CARLTON AND SOON AFTER THE FAMILY MOVED TO BRUTHEN VIC. AND LATER TO YARRAVILLE VIC.

LES STARTED EMPLOYMENT WITH THE REPATRIATION DEPARTMENT 26/11/43 TO 10/10/47 THEN COMMENCED WITH OTC ON 13/10/1947 AS JUNIOR DUTIES C.O.R. ON 65 SHILLINGS AND NINE PENCE PER WEEK, 1948 TRAFFIC ASSISANT, 1950 WENT TO ACCOUNTS DEPT. AT COLLINS GATE. 1951 WENT TO COLLINS HOUSE COUNTER THEN APPOINTED AS COUNTER OFFICER IN 1952.

LES WORKED AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES (MELB) 1956, COMMONWEALTH GAMES PERTH 1962, DAVIS CUP AND TEST CRICKET IN ADELAIDE AND MELBOURNE DUNHILL WORLD GOLF 1972,  ALL AS COUNTER OFFICER.

APPOINTED AREA CONTROLLER (ROSTERS) 1984 A POSITION HELD UNTIL HE RETIRED ON THE 2/1/1987.

LES WAS A PAST PRESIDENT OF OTVA MELBOURNE.

LES WAS A VERY POPULAR AND DEDICATED EVENT STAFF MEMBER OF THE MCC (MELBOURNE CRICKET CLUB) FOR 24 YEARS. LES WILL BE REMEMBERED AS A THOROUGH GENTLEMAN WHO BEFRIENDED MANY AROUND THE CLUB AND WAS MOST PROMINENT AS A COMMITTEE ROOM ATTENDANT AND WAS QUITE OFTEN HEARD AND RECOGNISED AS THE GROUND ANNOUNCER ON FOOTBALL AND CRICKET DAYS.

LES WAS A VERY STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF THE WAGGA WAGGA WEEK-ENDS FOR MANY YEARS AND WAS THE AUSTRALIA DAY MEDAL RECIPIENT FOR THE 40^TH ANNIVERSARY IN 1987.

LES WAS A VERY STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF THE WESTERN BULLDOGS (FORMERLY FOOTSCRAY FOOTBALL CLUB) WHERE HE HAD MANY FRIENDS THERE OF THE PAST PLAYERS ASSOCIATION WHERE THEY MET FOR LUNCH REGULARLY.

A GREAT LITTLE FRIEND WITH A BIG HEART WILL BE SADLY MISSED. R.I.P.

Received from Robert Hall, OTVA Victorian Branch President
I regret to inform you of the Passing of a former colleague, Mr. Peter Leslie Connors, who has tragically passed away on 17^th April 2013 . There has not or at least I have not seen notification of a funeral service.

May He Rest In Peace

From Tony Farrugia:

On Sunday 3^rd March I received a telephone call from Peter Gorman (ex OTC accounts branch) to advise me that he had seen a death notice in the SMH, that an Annette Taylor had passed away on Sunday 24th February 2013, and he  was wondering if I knew anything about it, and whether it was the same person who we knew.

I immediately called Annette’s home, but there was no answer. Following from that, I finally was able to contact the funeral director mentioned in the SMH, and after supplying him with Annette date of birth and other details, he confirmed that it was Annette Taylor, our colleague from OTC and OTVA member.

Phone calls were made to colleagues of Annette’s, as the funeral was set for the following day, Monday 4 March at 11:00 am. The service was very well attended and everyone spoke about Annette in glowing terms. OTC was represented at the service by John Heddo, Peter Gorman, Ken Theaker and I.

Annette had worked in the Accounts from the early 1960’s to the late 1980’s when she retired. Annette was a wonderful person, loyal, dedicated to her family and friends, caring, extremely generous with a great sense of humour.  During the past 20 years Annette dedicated most of her time to her church, the needy, elderly and new immigrants in her parish. She is survived by her young sister Margaret , nephew and niece.

Annette’s sudden passing is a shock, to all of us who kept in contact with her very regularly. We were only speaking to her 2 weeks ago and communicating by email to arrange a lunch with her and her ex OTC friends, set for this month. Annette was aged 69, had no serious medical condition and her death was due to an aneurism, on Sunday, 24 February. Annette will be greatly missed.

May she rest in peace.

From Keith McCredden

Regret to advise that Rita Day, wife of Geoff Day passed away on the 5th February 2013 and was buried today 11th Feb

Rita spent some time at Norfolk Island, Suva and Fanning Island as well as Sydney and Melbourne as Geoff moved around with OTC.

Geoff and Rita were regulars at the Vets functions until Rita suffered health problems some years ago which prevented their attendance.

The funeral service was well attended by members of her family with son John along with his family members providing a great background to her life.

May she rest in peace

From Ed Willingham:

I have been in contact with Peter Seaton over many years and have just learnt of his passing just prior to Christmas 2012 aged 92 years.

I do not have much background on Peter however I met up with him at Moree in 1969. He was the respected elderly gentleman on the initial “Collins Radio” Satellite course during the construction of Moree Earth Station.

He spent time at Doonside, Moree, Ceduna and ultimately in Head Office.

In recent years he has been living in Melbourne initially alternating between two of his stepdaughters homes until he made the decision himself to enter into a Senior Citizens facility “Milhaven Hostel” in Pakenham Victoria.

For those who knew Peter well would be aware of very keen interest in Mathematics.

Well, he was still undertaking solving Mathematics equations right up until a couple of months before hispassing when his eyes started to let him down.

I understand he had left his remains to Medical Science at one of the Melbourne universities.

May he rest in peace.

It is with deep regret that I advise of the passing of Danny Yee last Friday 4-1-2013 aged  72 after a long illness which has been reported in the Sick List of this BLOG for several weeks. Many thanks to Paul Mulcahy, Vernon Yen and others for advising of Danny’s passing.

From left to right: Robert Natale (previously Schmet), Danny Yee, Ross Smith, Norman Stagnitta, Bill Millar & Dennis Andrade.

More from Kevin O’Brien extracted from OTC Transit articles in which Danny appeared. The first is circa 1990 and the second 1992:

The above picture includes Danny and work colleagues in the INMC at Paddington

The following attended Danny’s funeral and the celebration of his life held afterwards at the Strathfield golf club. It was good to reminisce and relive the great times that we shared as part of the OTC family: John Eades, Robert Brand, Mani Subramani, Peter Bull, George Woloszuk, Chris Stanley, Kee Lam, Brian Travis, Paul Bewley, Peter Hewins, Bill Breeze, Ray Volpatti, Justin Richards & Norman Stagnitta.

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Dear Friends,

We were very touched by your kind thoughts during Danny’s illness, and your support following his passing.

Thank you for sharing in his farewell, and also for sharing memories from the many years that you worked together at OTC.

Sincerely,

Molly, Geraldine, Roanne and Family

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Robert Hall (Hon. Secretary/Treasurer OTVA Melbourne) has passed on the sad news of Jim’s passing. Jim was an esteemed colleague and former Manager Melbourne in his OTC days.

Mr. James Alfred Robinson, aged 86 years, passed away peacefully at the Mt Martha Valley Lodge after a long illness.

Dearly beloved husband of Judith (dec) and Dorothy. Father of Peter & Jenny and Step-Father of Janine and Ashley.

Loving grandfather of all of his grandchildren.

FUNERAL SERVICE

Held today (Thursday 27 December 2012) at Tobin Bros. Chapel in Mt. Martha Vic.  There were about 110 or so in attendance including OTVA members namely Denis Chambers, Vance Findlay, Yashmin Beaumont, Robert & Judith Hall.

It was an excellent service led by Celebrant Erica Schamberger with opening music “Amazing Grace” by Susan Boyle

Eulogy & Tributes

Jim’s wife Dorothy said they have been married for 14 years and she had cared for Jim since having a stroke whilst on their honeymoon in America.

Jim’s children Peter & Jenny combined together in their eulogy reminiscing their fathers life with family, his service in the RAAF, running prowess with Collingwood Harrier’s and at the Stawell Gift, OTC retiring as State Manager Victoria, held senior positions with the Masonic Lodge, Rotary, RSL, and a long term Member with his beloved COLLINGWOOD football club.

The Masonic Lodge and the RSL both held their tribute services.  The LORD’S PRAYER, Committal and Farewell Music “Collingwood Football Club Song”  “Auld Lang Syne”  “We’ll Meet Again” concluded the service with refreshments at the Chapel.

May He Rest In Peace

From Allan Hennessy:

Des has been living in KINGSCLIFF until recently.

His daughter, Debbie Thompson, advised that Des passed away last Saturday in a nursing home at Woodburn.

No funeral details as yet,  Debbie can be contacted on 02 5602 1904.

We also have Debbie’s postal address if needed.

The picture below is of Des with his son, Peter, and his daughter, Debbie, on the occasion of Des’ 90th birthday.

From Geoff Larcombe

In case you haven’t already heard the sad news…

HUTCHINSON, Gregory Desmond Suddenly on Tuesday 30th October, 2012 Late of Baulkham Hills Dearly loved and devoted husband of Lyndahl. Loved father of Ben, Emma and Rebekah. Father-in-law of Brooke, Andy and Ricky. Cherished Pop to Joshua and Manson. Brother to Lorna, Megsie, Lannie, Nola and Cathy.

Greg was an OTC lad in the 70’s, same traineeship as me.