Gosford High School Reunion

Sadly on Friday April 15th 2011, our Gosford High colleague , Ray Fairbairn lost his battle with cancer. Ray was only diagnosed in February this year and although he fought a brave battle, his condition deteriorated rapidly and he passed away last Friday, surrounded by his family.

For those of you who were fortunate enough to attend the 50 year reunion in November 2010, you will remember Ray and Gwenda at that special function. Ray was in top form, chatting, laughing and thoroughly enjoying himself. I look back now and realise that we were privileged to be able to share that time with him, totally unaware that time was running out.

The Funeral Service was held at the Hillside Chapel – Palmdale Memorial Park on Thursday April 21st. Present were family and many friends with a large contingent from the Gosford Sailing Club, Ray’s second home! Gosford High School was represented by Kevin Phillips, Ian Littlemore, Ken Quodling, John Floyd, Greg Needham, Noelene Jeffs, Maxeen & Colin Langlois and Ros Mort.
The service was a very fitting tribute to Ray. The Eulogies gave insight into his early life as a teenager and the antics he used to get up to with his mates. His passion for sailing has pervaded his life and this passion will continue on through his sons Michael and Graeme. Overall he was a top sportsman with rugby league high on his list of great loves. In later life Ray was depicted as a loving husband, father and a Pa to his granddaughter. He was strict but fair and he believed that if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well.

At the conclusion of the service, friends and relatives adjourned to the Gosford Sailing Club for refreshments.

A sympathy card from all of us with photos of Ray’s class mates from his final year, at GHS, 1960 was given to Gwenda. Enclosed with the card was a two page list of condolences from twenty of Ray’s GHS colleagues as emailed to Ros. Mort. You can see the card and messages here.