Eulogy

I would like to share with you a little of Dad's life story and pay tribute to one of life's gentlemen.

My father was born Edgar Norman WILSON on 17 August 1913 in Brisbane to Mabel Rowe (nee JOLLY) and Edgar Hartley WILSON. He was the youngest of 4 children: Dorothy (Doff), Hartley & Victor.
The family returned to SA from Queensland about 1917 and lived at Riverton where Dad's father took over the Jubilee Store following the sudden death of his brother Linley Campbell WILSON.
Dad attended Riverton Primary School until the family moved to Adelaide where from Grade 4 he attended Unley Primary and then Unley High School. His first job was in the State Bank of South Australia where he remained until his retirement in 1976.
He married Connie BOSANKO on 4 September 1937 at Gartrell Memorial Church and they spent 62 very happy years together.

He took up his first managerial post with the opening of the Leigh Creek branch of the State Bank in January 1950. In 1952 we moved to Meningie then to Barmera in 1956 until 1964, Cleve from 1964 to 1966, Berri 1966 to 1968 and in 1968 Dad and Mum returned to Adelaide. Dad became an inspector of country branches for a time then manger of Head Office until his retirement.

Mum and Dad lived a very busy life, taking part in many activities in all towns. Dad was secretary, treasurer & then president of RSL in each town and served on the Board of the Barmera Hotel. He was also president of the Wine & Food Club in Barmera and was a Justice of the Peace for many years until his sight deteriorated. On his return to Adelaide he was president of the Burnside Bowling Club & treasurer of the RSL. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.

During World War 2 he served in the RAAF and apparently managed to sleep through an air raid while in the islands!

Dad was always very popular wherever he went. He loved his singalongs at parties and was often heard to utter his signature statement of:

"Connie...........why don't you just shut up!"

Although a man of few words, he had a very dry sense of humour and a quick wit.
I believe that that twinkle in his eye for which he was renowned all his life was very much apparent even as a small boy.

One story passed on by his mother was that she had invited the Methodist Minister to afternoon tea one day and had set out all the best china on the best table cloth for the occasion. Dad thought that he would help by picking some flowers to brighten things up. Unable to find a vase he compromised with a bottle, placed the flowers in it and put it in the centre of the table - beer label clearly visible! Fortunately Gran was able to get rid of it before the minister arrived!

On another occasion at Riverton his mother was heard to exclaim that the next time the publican's chickens trespassed into her vegetable garden she would wring their necks, so when he and a friend spotted the offending chooks in the garden, they obliged by doing exactly that to about 20 chickens! Needless to say the respective fathers had to make reparation to the publican and no doubt chicken was on the menu for some time.

At the age of about 14 in Unley he fancied a ride on brother Hartley's new motor bike - a ride that left him out of pocket for some time after a telephone pole got in the way.

Dad enjoyed sport and in his early years played football for Unley Methodist Church and was a keen Sturt supporter. He was also a good swimmer and excelled at tennis and bowls.

While at Barmera he played social tennis with a group of friends at Cobdogla and a friend often complained that he only ever came close to beating Dad once, even after a late night out; the score - 5 all; 40/30 - when it started to rain - the game was never finished.

He enjoyed all of his granchildren and they all loved him dearly.

In 1996 Dad and Mum moved into the hostel at Resthaven Leabrook. Since then Dad moved on to the Nursing Home where he was cared for by a very dedicated group of people who treated him with respect and good humour and for which we sincerely thank them all.

He was a wonderful father, Grandfather & Great grandfather who has now gone to join Mum.

These are a few words from his grandaughter in Western Australia who is unable to be here today:

"My Papa"

A very special man in all of our lives.