Reflections

[BernieQ2]

Hi folks I thought I would say a few words about my mate who passed away and whose funeral we are attending in Sydney next Week.
I grew up with Ray since about age 4, we lived on the same road although we were only 6 houses from each other I lived in the next suburb. There was a cross street one house from me that was the boarder.
His wife of 50 years (last year) Pauline also affectionately known as “SISSY” lived on the cross street 4 house around the corner from me .. So I’ve known both of them like forever ….
Even though we never attended the same school we somehow managed to WAG school on the same days ??? must have been psychic do ya think ?
As we grew older we went from Shanghai to air rifles to finally centre fire. Spent most of the early sixties to seventy’s shooting together some time to feed ourselves some times for money. We used to shoot and trap rabbits for a living in Nundle NSW . (hi Paul)
Ray also loved his fishing…the bugger could catch a fish in a bucket in a desert. And fight he was the best street fighter I ever seen yer I know that may upset some…but Ray was hard but fair. Fight was over when one went down…not like todays shit where they all want to lay the boot in .Mind you Ray never started any but by cricky he sure finished them.
Ray somewhere along the way met “Sissy and they fell in love so he kicked me outa his life…..nar he didn’t , we just lowed our shooting adventures to fit in with his new life as a Dad . They had three kids Kim the oldest was born on the same day that Roselands opened in Bankstown NSW (now centro). His son Allan passed away two years back from cancer. Was a sad time …
Ray was from a large family 5 girls and 5 boys , only two boys now left and 4 girls the oldest Pat had a stroke last year and isn’t all that well . We didn’t catch up much over the last 30 years but the occasional phone call and it was as if it was yesterday. I last seen Ray 7 years ago but last talked with him at Xmas.
So a life time of memory’s have now stopped, I’m not looking forward to seeing Sissy and Rays brothers and sisters the air will be thick with emotion , hard enough just writing this .
To all my friends .
Bernie .

[Dot]

Bernie those memories will last for ever.

[supersparky]

Good on you Bernie. That's what mateship is all about. Some people go through life without the opportunity to experience what you and Ray had.

[BruceS]

Bugger you Bernie! That almost brought a tear to my eyes!
Give him the send off he should have Bernie but watch it when you leave the wake or you might be walking home!!!

[Greynomad]

Bernie,
Thanks for probably the best eulogy a bloke could have.
Some of us would kill (well, almost) to have a life-long mate like that.
Onya Bernie, and farewell Ray.

From another one...

[BernieQ2]

Thanks all for your kind thoughts ,I finally found the strength to finish this post about my mate .

Where do I start ? The funeral for Ray was short Ray being a non-believer.
All of his remaining siblings were there four sisters and two brothers plus “Sissy” Rays wife Pauline and Ray’s daughters Kim and Julie and their kids plus two great grandkid’s plus about 100 friends and rellies. He was buried which surprised me? I was expecting a cremation. But that was his wish.
There were lots of crying between his brothers and sisters…to be expected…I did take quite a few deep breaths myself , all was well till I went and placed my hand on his coffin then I lost it first time in my life I cried at a funeral . The old ashole must have meant a great deal to me. I wasn’t ashamed to show my emotions but a tad embarrassed.

So now my mate from all those years has gone the last friend that I could confide in , the mate that made growing up so much fun, pre and teen years mainly . All those hunting trips and the fishing we used to do together now to just my memory’s.

Just a bit of what we used to do. We both worked afternoon shift in a factory in Sydney’s west , knock off was at 11,30pm straight home to bed up at 6am down the river by 7am fish all day home by 2pm feed face wash change cloths and back at work by 3pm we done that for months at a time between hunting trips on weekends .

We were just crazy kids living life to the fullest , I wish todays kids could/would do what we done get out and enjoy , we don’t live forever as my mate bears witness .

I had a beer for Ray.
Bye mate.

Bernie.

[Dot]

Onyu Bernie, no need for a man shedding tears to feel embarrassed, in fact it is a good sign that you do have feelings and emotions. We are starting to hear of some of our school mates falling off the perch for many reasons and it makes you think that our time is running out as well so that makes the saying "live for today" so true.

[BernieQ2]

Ta Dot .
Bernie .

[wayneP]

Bernie,
as per supersparky! That is what mateship is all about. The next time you see a rabbit you will have a rye (a Ray moment) old smile on your face.
Rest in peace Ray, while Bernie has another beer for you.
Wayne

[BruceS]

Yes, good mates are hard to find!
Might be beer all around when / if you join him one day Bernie?
I'm not one to believe that will happen but who knows?