OBITUARY

Bradley (Roy) Edward Booth

Born May 14 1929

Died December 12 2023

Eulogy

Roy was born Bradley Edward Booth and was an only child.

He lost his father as a young boy and his mother worked hard to raise him on her own.

It can’t have been easy for his mother – or for Roy, with no father figure.

Roy recalled wagging school, and, with his mother, moving from Ascot Vale, to Moonee Ponds and finally Glenferrie.

It seems there was just the two of them – no aunts, uncles or cousins.

We wonder why he went by the name Roy.

Evidently his father’s name was Roy and he wasn’t enamoured by his given names.

Following school, he joined the navy.

If you have been in his living area at home, you’ll remember he had much naval memorabilia on the walls so; it must have been a significant part of his life – as was the RSL when he moved here to Mansfield.

His job in the navy was listed as boiler maker but Roy considered this job description overrated in light of the work involved.

He was not one for talking of his naval experiences but he did share stories with fellow RSL members.

He travelled the world with the navy.

Roy said he would have liked to have become a motor mechanic but tests showed he didn’t have the aptitude, so the navy trained him to be a painter and he (later) had his own business.

He was proud to have Myer and Portmans amongst his clients.

Painting a house for a Mrs Freda Casey was how he met his wife Freda.

Marrying Freda meant that Roy gained a young stepson, Geoffrey.

According to Brent Howes, who was growing up in Karingal at the time, Roy and Freda were instrumental in the founding of the Karingal Football Club in 1966 and later became life members.

The inaugural president, Roy served for nine consecutive years ably assisted by Freda.

Roy’s step-grandson rang a past president, Alec Robinson, informing the club of Roy’s passing.

On Facebook, the club has paid tribute to Roy.

He would have been chuffed – as he would have been had he known club members came to his funeral.

On retirement, he and Freda moved to Bonnie Doon where he became involved in the Bonnie Doon Football Club of which he was also a life member.

It was here that the Howes, owning the Bonnie Doon Caravan Park at the time, reconnected with Roy.

Roy’s mother was living with Roy and Freda at this time, and with her health failing, they decided to move to Elvins Street, Mansfield.

However, it wasn’t long before his mum needed more specialised care.

Tough times followed for Roy, his Mum died, and not long after, Freda.

Freda and Roy had had over 50 very happy years of marriage.

With the two significant women in his life suddenly gone, Roy was gutted but realised life goes on.

Football was still a central interest and he was happy to embrace the Mansfield Football Club – so much so that he was a life member of this club too.

Added to that was his participation in the RSL and the Masonic lodge.

Roy said that he hated his own cooking – so he was a frequent diner at the golf club and elsewhere.

Eventually, he met his darling Betty and they were both so happy together, marrying in 2005.

They went on several cruises, toured New Zealand and did a few road trips.

They were regulars at nearly every café and restaurant in Mansfield.

They met friends at the golf club every Friday night, played bowls and attended all the footy matches.

They cut a classy couple at the Mansfield Races.

Roy’s navy training had served him well - he always took pride in his appearance and grooming.

Sadly, Betty died early in 2014.

Roy described his time with Betty as wonderful years, appreciating all she had brought to his life – including her family.

His friendship with Brent and Cheree Howes stepped up, and after Cheree lost her parents, Delly and Les Brackman, Roy became a fatherly figure to her and a grandfatherly figure to her children and grandchildren and Cherie willingly looked out for him.

Once the AFL season started, Roy looked forward to Mark Gibney, Betty’s son-in-law, ringing to get his footy tips and Mark always rang to remind him when the Essendon match was commencing on Channel 7.

Of an evening, Roy enjoyed a Bundy and coke.

Rum was always his preferred drink, probably developed a taste for it in the navy, where rum was added to the water during long voyages at sea, to make it safe to drink.

He continued to dine out but was also getting Meals on Wheels several times a week and home carers were helping.

Fortunately, even though he had several health issues, with much help, he continued to manage at home.

He was absolutely delighted when Betty’s son, Jim and grandson, Hamish, visited him - exactly a month before his passing.

He died peacefully at Mansfield Hospital December 12, aged 94.