DESPITE the churning of residents in Greater Hamilton during the past half century many today will know Gerard McGrath who died last October 28, aged 81.
After stints in Western Australia and Melbourne, Gerry, who was born in Coleraine, returned from the west in 1973 to settle in Hamilton.
In subsequent years he worked at Coles, the abattoirs, Grand Central Hotel, driving taxis and trucks and until retirement at the Hamilton hospital.
He, like others in the extended family, was a handy basketballer. He had played some footy with Imperials, loved golf and bowls.
Gerry was a member of Hamilton Lions for many years. He joined in 1980 and served as club president during their 1994/95 year (pictured) and as zone chairman for 1998/99.
The big fellow loved to chat and wasn’t shy of offering an opinion, no matter how unpopular it could be.
At his funeral service son, Damien, recalled that Gerry lost interest in the Labor Party when he was a union representative in Melbourne for the Storeman & Packers Union.
“He would be at meetings at Trades Hall in Carlton with an up-and-coming Bob Hawke running the show.
“Dad would refuse to tow the union line and refuse to wear the union badge,” Damien remembered.
“His personal opinions were made known. The last time he was chased out of Trades Hall down Swanston Street by Bob’s cronies.
“So when Bob became prime minister, 13 years later, dad’s blood would boil every time he saw the ‘bloody commo mongrel’ on the telly”.

• * *
SELECTIONS from wife Irene’s eulogy…
Gerry attended St Joseph’s school at Coleraine. The family moved to Hamilton in 1955.
He and I met in 1963 through the YCW, a Catholic organisation for young workers.
The Church had deb balls then. I was 16, making my debut, and needed a partner.
Michael McGrath was a good dancer, so I thought, I’ll ask him.
He turned me down as he had partnered many debs and suggested I ask Gerry.
I was a bit nervous but asked him one day when he was at Woollies. He said he’d think about it.
He said later that he went home and told his family that I had asked him but, as he’d also been a partner several times at deb balls, he didn’t really want to do another one.
His mother’s words were: ‘If Irene has thought enough of you to ask you, you should do it.’
When I went back for my answer, he said yes.
After each deb practice Gerry would leave just before the end so he could run to Alistair Little’s house to watch “Bonanza” on TV.
When the deb finally happened, and my mum and dad had to leave straight after the presentation to look after my two-week-old sister, it was a surprise that Gerry walked me home to Gordon Street.
His family tells me that his father asked him when he got home if he was going to continue walking up to Gordon Street now that the ball was over.
He did. We loved going to the picture theatre together and many dances at the VRI and Town Hall - and soft drinks at Strangio’s Cafe.

• * *
ABOUT 18 months later my family needed to move to Western Australia.
I was keen to stay in Hamilton but that wasn’t an option. (Was it Mum?)
So Gerry packed up and moved to WA. My family later returned but he and I stayed over there.
Gerry and I came back in 1967 to be married.
We put our car on the train at Kalgoorlie where we had to stay the night (in separate rooms in those days).
We decided to book the same place on the way back and were told by the receptionist that this was bad luck.
Well, after 55 years of marriage, I don’t believe that.
When we finally decided that we wanted to settle closer to our families, Gerry got transferred back with Woollies to the warehouse in Brunswick.
Melbourne was our home for the next three years.
In September 1973, where we bought our home here in Dickens Street.

• * *
GERRY was an avid Essendon supporter.
Over the years, a Bombers Supporters Group was established in Hamilton. Gerry was president of the group at one stage and the group organised bus trips to the footy quite often.
His other love was camping. We progressed from a two-bedroom tent, an onsite van at Port Fairy to the van we have today, which each year was towed to Tweed Heads – his favourite spot to stay.
He also travelled the world.
In 2000 we drove around England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and then did a tour of Europe. He had a ball.
We had the most amazing time travelling around Australia in 2006.

• * *
GERRY was a volunteer. He was in the Lions club and worked at the Commonwealth games in 2006 (as bowls umpire) and loved delivering Meals on Wheels.
He was passionate about sport. He loved cricket, especially in WA where he could get the ball to swing.
In fact he had his best day with the ball ever over there.
Gerry would’ve been able to tell you the exact number, but I know he took nine of the 10 wickets for a small figure.
He also loved golf. His nickname at golf was ‘Pin High’. That probably indicates his prowess (or lack of) at the sport.
He liked to go fishing, too, but not too many fish hopped onto his line.
He eventually took up bowls, playing for the Grangeburn Bowls Club.
Gerry was big on giving cuddles. They weren’t necessarily all for me, but when he wrapped his long arms around me I felt loved, safe and secure.
Gerry was the love of my life.

SPEC CHRISTMAS
HAMPERS ENDED

READERS may have noticed that after 46 successive years we’ve pulled the pin on the annual Spectator Christmas Hamper Appeal.
For those new to the area this was a means of delivering food staples to needy families in Greater Hamilton on Christmas Eve.
The names of those to be helped were nominated by St Vincent de Paul and other welfare organisations.
Usually about 60 hampers were distributed each year.
In the early days the packing and delivery involved our own staff, Rotary delivered for some years, then Hamilton Taxis, then back to staff again if the address was within the city - and public couriers if not.
The main reason for discontinuance is that several churches now fill a similar need and doubling up makes no economic or social sense.
Our thanks to the many supporters who made the hamper scheme possible during those four plus decades.
And a special thought for the ladies from the Hamilton Cake Decorators Association who for many years supplied a seasonally-decorated Christmas cake to top each hamper.