David Solomon has passed on the news of the passing of Chris Collisson.
Chris joined OTC in 1971.
When I first met him he was working in the Paddington ARM Telephone Exchange. He was a fun-loving character who always made us laugh and on our toes for any of his practical jokes. Another thing that I remember is that he had a phenomenal ability to consume food.
Within a few years of me meeting him he moved to Carnarvon and as with most of those who travelled west with OTC I do not recall him ever coming back.
His ex-wife, Ruth Mary McCready, passed on the sad news to David and others via the ex-OTC Facebook web site.
No details of a the cause of his passing and a funeral service are currently available. I will forward those details on if they become available.
Photo of Chris, Garry Chapple and John Robinson below provided by Kevan Bourke
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Chris turned 70 on the 8th of August 2023 and joined OTC in Perth as a T.O.I.T. in 1971. There was a small group of trainees that year from Perth which along with Chris included Mark Roberts, Ray Pow, Harley Vague, John Pavy, John Smith, John Sherman, Barry Wroth and myself.
John Sherman and Barry Wroth never made the move to Sydney in 1974 but the rest of us did. John Pavy and John Smith didn’t stay long and the rest of us except for Ray Pow eventually returned West.
Most of us who went to Sydney lived and socialised around Bondi and became lifelong friends.
Chris suffered health problems later in life due to a head injury and retired from work earlier than he would have liked. Work was very important to him.
Chris’ ex-wife, Ruth, with whom Doc Roberts and I have kept in touch over the years said there may be a celebration of Chris’s life when his son, Brett, returns from overseas. I’m sure someone will provide an update.
R.I.P. Chris. A good friend of ours.
Regards,
Kevan Bourke
Chris was 70 when he died.
He started with OTC in the West Aust, 1971 trainee tech intake then with his wife Ruth moved to Sydney in 1974 as did 7 other WA techs.
He did the 7 months ARM course then worked in the ARM exchange at Paddington for some years.
He and his family eventually moved to Carnarvon and then onto Gnangara in Perth. When Telstra took over OTC around 1994, Chris moved across to Telstra. Not sure but I think he remained with Telstra until he retired. I’m sure others could fill in this bit. Chris loved his job and would have liked to continue working but a head injury forced his eventual retirement some years ago.
He loved a chat, a man of strong opinions, enjoyed a loud debate and was generally heard by all around him due to his raucous belly laugh.
He is survived by four children with initials A,B,C and D. He reckoned that it was easier to remember them that way.
A good bloke and won’t be forgotten.
Mark Roberts
A photo with Chris in the early days after we moved to Sydney. The Spaghetti Factory was a restaurant near the Rocks/Circular Quay.
From left: Craig Doyle (ex OTC) , Pauline, Col Kelly, Ruth Collisson, Chris Collisson, Mark Roberts, Kevan Bourke
From Right: John Smith (ex OTC), Noel Sutherland, Mick ? (ex OTC), Mary Ann Sylvester (Mick’s partner)
The others were people we met whilst staying at the Eversham Guest House.
Kevan Bourke
Another photo with Chris in the early days after we moved to Sydney. The Spaghetti Factory was a restaurant near the Rocks/Circular Quay.
From Right: Mark Roberts, Chris Collisson, Ruth Collisson, Col Kelly, Craig Doyle, Pauline, John Smith, Noel Sutherland, Mick?
Last photo
Chris and Mark (Doc) Roberts
Kevan Bourke