Saturday, July 17, 2021
I was saddened to hear of Jack's death. He was a wonderful friend to my father Ray Whiting. I knew Jack as 'Alan' Cox. We lived beside him, Alma, Jennefer and Greg in Franklin St Matraville back in the 1950's . At my fathers funeral Alan (Jack) gave a eulogy and he said that my dad Ray was his first real friend and that their friendship lasted a lifetime. Alan (Jack) said when his family moved to Mitchell St Matraville my dad lived 3 doors up and that is how they met. It was during the Depression and times were tough. Alan recalled how he and my father would spend time catching rabbits for their families to eat and that they could make a couple of shillings selling the snakes they caught to the snake-man at La Perouse. My dad had a push bike and he would double Alan everywhere. Alan would steer the handle bars while dad would peddle the bike...and they'd ride to the National Park at Loftus. In 1939 Alan was in his 2nd year at high school at Maroubra when my father got a job for him as a billy-boy for a Maroubra milkman, during the Christmas holidays. Alan said that he had to have his mother's consent before taking the job. He had to work from 3am to 7.30 am seven days a week and the pay was 30 shillings a week. He was very proud of the fact that this was the most money his mother ever had coming into the house. When he was offered the job permanently Alan said he was thrilled because he was able to save up and purchase his own pushbike . Alan said that he joined the navy at the age of 17 and when he and my father were doing their post-compulsory 3 year service they served together on G.P.V 639. It was a 75 foot double ended timber built craft which had been seconded by the Navy from the N.Z. fisheries for the duration of the War. Alan said 'When the war ended we both married our childhood sweethearts, both took on carpentry, rode our pushbikes to tech 3 nights a week, built our garages to live in on adjoining blocks of land, raised our families, both having a son and daughter each and went on to be builders in our own right."
Alan and my father remained firm friends. In retirement, my Dad and mum lived at Gerringong and I remember dad telling me about the lovely house Alan (Jack) built for he and Hope in Nowra. Alan and Dad would often visit and my dad would always keep me posted on what Alan (Jack) and his family was up to. After my father died, I was fortunate enough to visit Hope and Alan (Jack) at their house a couple of times and have lunch with them. Both my father and Alan (Jack) had a wonderful 'gift of the gab' and I was never bored listening to the many stories they had to share. Alan was very proud of the hothouse/fernery he made for Hope in their backyard and Hope generously gave me quite a few Begonia's. I always think of Alan (Jack) and Hope when I water these plants. Alan (Jack) was a very generous man and loyal friend to my father and he always welcomed me in such a loving manner whenever I was able to visit him at Nowra or when he was in hospital in Wollongong. I know Alan (Jack) adored Hope, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and I know he will be greatly missed. Hope, Jennefer and your extended families, please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. There will not be another Jack like your Jack. The world has lost a beautiful soul.
