Tribute to Tom Jackson
Wagstaffe resident Mr Tom Jackson died on Saturday, June 4, in Gosford Hospital.
Mr Jackson's death was caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos through his work as a builder.
Here is a tribute from Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association member Ms Helen Menzies:
Tom lived at Wagstaffe for many years and was a stalwart member of the association for all of that time.
With his love of the environment and community, Tom greatly contributed to the well-being of community.
He was called on often to help with maintenance at Wagstaffe Hall but was also an important part of all other Association events including Bush Care, delivering Talking Turkey, Australia Day, Trash and Treasure and the Carving project.
Tom was bestowed with Life Membership of Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association in 2009.
His friendliness, humour and gruff charm will be truly missed.
Tom was ever chivalrous.
He would tip his Greek fisherman's cap and, if you were lucky, let you plant a kiss on his soft grey beard.
But then you were never quite sure what would come next.
Talk "rubbish" (as defined by Tom) and you'd be put in your place.
Your best bet was to have his wife, Anne, on your side.
"Tommy," she would say sternly to her husband, and he would grin into his beard.
Tom married his wife Anne in 1954, and moved to their waterfront home at Wagstaffe in 1983.
Since then they've been as much a part of the fabric of the village as the jetties, the ferry, and the Waggy Store.
At holiday time, Tom and Anne's magical garden would be seething with some combination of their six children, 14 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, and a variety of dogs.
"Damn dogs," Tom always said in the Ducks Crossing novels, where he appears in the guise of the General.
Whether he was Tommy to Anne, Dad to the kids, Tom-Pa to the grandkids, the General to generations of dogs who doted on him, or Mr Jackson who saw his soldierly stance and not the twinkle in his eye, his death mightily diminishes us all.
Letter, 16 Jul 2016
Helen Menzies, Wagstaffe