CLOSE to 100 people turned out to celebrate the life of lovable larrikin Ron Franks OAM at Anzac Park on Saturday.
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The World War II veteran and popular Hawks Nest man died on September 24 in the Calvary Mater Hospital, Newcastle.
He was 91.
His funeral was held in Sydney on October 2 but on Saturday, October 11, community members gathered at the Tea Gardens War Memorial for a service befitting a man that Great Lakes Deputy Mayor Len Roberts described as a ‘‘wonderful bloke’’.
‘‘He was an incredibly well respected man,’’ Cr Roberts said.
Among those who spoke at Saturday’s service was Cr Roberts, former NSW Governor Peter Sinclair, Ted Mowbray OAM and representatives from the car and Lions clubs.
Mr Franks moved to Hawks Nest when he retired 21 years ago, his youngest of three children, Darryle Cairns, said.
His wife, Shirley, had died suddenly in 1975. Mr Franks gave his time to many community groups, including the U3A, Lions club, car club and Tea Gardens RSL Sub-Branch.
His commitment was rewarded in 2010 when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.
‘‘He just loved the place and they just loved my father,’’ Mrs Cairns said.
Mr Franks is survived by his three children, nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
