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LINDSAY JAMES HEWAT 5/10/1912 to 12/10/2001
(The organist is heard playing some memorable, nostalgic music
as people
are assembling.)
Let us pray:
O God, the Lord of life, the conqueror over death, and our help
in every difficult time of trouble, who dost not willingly grieve
nor afflict the children of men: comfort us who mourn, and give
us grace, in the presence of death, to worship you the ever living,
and to put our whole trust in your goodness and mercy: through
Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Would you describe Lindsay James HEWAT, for whom we are here
today, owing to his recent death, as "a fastidious, self
taught, inventive man, who was devoted to his family, and was
often very talkative when he got you cornered."?
His family certainly appreciate your presence and the loving,
supportive ways shown to them since his death; thank you. By
way of the electronic media, we wish to include those members
of the family who are unable to be here today; you are with us,
therefore, in spirit.
For those of you whom I did not met at Rose's funeral in November,
1999, my name is TREVOR GUNTHORPE and I am a Nationally Accredited
Funeral Celebrant and Loss & Grief Counsellor. The staff
of Peter Tobin Funerals and I will endeavour to apply the next
few moments as a Celebration for Lindsay's interesting life,
sensitively using some significant events and music to assist
in that endeavour, giving him the due regard that he deserves.
Let us, then, begin to tell his life story, onto which you are
invited to add your own reminiscences when we return here for
some refreshments, at the conclusion of the committal at the
graveside.
=====
Lindsay James was the second of six sons born to a strict, multi-skilled
Blacksmith and Master Decorator of Carriages. This occurred on
5th October, 1912 at Balranald, N.S.W; the other sons being Lawrie,
then Lindsay, Harold(John), Joff(rey), Jack, and Bernie.
The world was about to engage in WWI, not realising where
the aftermath would head it, so these were harsh times; families
often existing on rabbits!! The boys had their chores one of
which being paired
up - to cut wood with a cross-cut saw; this done on alternate
days as it was very difficult and needed energy build-up for
the next time! And we reckon we are hard done by!!!
Local schooling for Lindsay was up until about age 14 years,
which was near the time he ventured (on his own) to Melbourne
for ANY work!!
This period was around the beginning of the Great Depression,
so catching rabbits (for cash) and being a milkman enabled Lindsay
to live that is what it was all about!! It was called SURVIVAL!!
At the beginning of the 1930s as fate would have it he was
invited to the Grover home by Carrie's husband who found out
that Lindsay was interested in cricket! However, there was someone
else to whom he became attracted; that being a young lady named
Rose, a member of that large family. There are many stories about
love stories concerning milkmen; but this one was really genuine
and lasted 63 years;they marrying after an extended courtship,
on 18th April, 1936.
During the next few years World War II was experienced and the
growing Hewat family moved from Thomastown to Regent, Richmond,
then to Hoddles Creek, from where Lindsay rode his motorbike
(possibly an Indian, red in colour) to Melbourne and would be
away for the five working days before returning on weekends.
In 1946 they moved back to Thomastown where the family home was
built by Lindsay and the time that the Grover Brothers Saw Mill
operated for the next 26 years until it closed in 1972.
This was also the period in Lindsay,s life that he had an interest
in and a helpful contribution to the local community Progress
Association, as well as him maintaining his motor vehicles. Memories
of the highly-polished Pontiac, Galaxy, and Fairlane (cars) came
to mind as well as dogs named Chips, Taffy and Midge (the one
which died of snakebite defending its owner.)
Around 1972 Lindsay and Rose retired` to Echuca, where they
were foundation members of the Gem Club, from which they both
received a Life Membership. From this Club also developed many
Gemborees`, which took them around Australia, sometimes for many
months, they collecting rare stone which was then painstakingly
turned into perfect and precious stones. One of these can be
seen on Elaine's finger.
Re-locating to Smythes Creek to a granny flat in the grounds
of Murray and Elaine,s property about 1993, Lindsay and Rose
pursued their own interests with constant companionship of Mini,
often seen asleep on
Lindsay's shoulder as he slept!!
Due to Rose's sickness in 1998 and her subsequent new address
at Geoffrey Cutter Unit Nursing Home, Lindsay was a regular visitor;
but it became more difficult for him to do so after he went into
care at Eureka House in March 1999.
This loving devotion for Rose, however, continued until her
peaceful death in November of that year (3/11/1999), leaving
Lindsay to be able to concentrate on his many projects. It needs
to be pointed out that
his room became a workshop, with his bed as an incidental piece
of furniture; it being described as "a meticulous mess.
Achievements prior to this re-location included a gem tumbler,
a polisher for the stones; in fact, if you needed a particular
screw, nut, or bolt; then Lindsay would most likely have it.
BUT, whenever, you approached him you needed to allow an extra
period of time to hear what he had to say on many subjects!!
This characteristic is well-recognised by the family especially
when you were likely to be "trapped by him at the kitchen
table!! Seriously though, it must be recognised that Lindsay
had an interest in the world,
anything, with his explanation sounding as though he was the
'expert` on whatever was being discussed!!
Another memory which came to mind was his extreme patience!
At one stage Shaylee needed (according to Pa) a cover of sheet
glass over her fish tank. So Lindsay explained what he was going
to do in her presence, cut it with a procedural script, described
what he had done and what else he might have been able to do,
completed the job, and placed it on the floor, only to be unknowingly
stepped on!!!!!!
Without batting an eyelid, Lindsay proceeded to cut another!
Now that is tolerance!
And so it was over the past couple of years, Lindsay saw Eureka
Village as his 'home` and where the staff and others appreciated
his contented, smiling face, which often produced some whistled
tunes. So it is to the dedicated staff that the family,s personal
thanks is expressed for their kind, loving devotion, and support
for Lindsay and themselves; thank you!!
It would seem that Lindsay always had something to do, as he
was not one to sit around waiting to be entertained`; and isn,t
that from which we can all learn!!
Healthwise, Lindsay was considered to be in "excellent condition,
but we all need to be aware that we cannot (although we may wish)
to keep going for ever.
For Lindsay it was with the aid of a motorised scooter, (also
personally maintained), as well his interest in people which
kept him focussed away from his own ailing bodily functions.
What a better environment in which to be happy in himself` and
where he felt secure to peacefully die (in his sleep) early Friday
morning (12/10/2001); ironically in G.E.M. Ward!!
Shaylee reads:-
In John's Gospel Chapter 14, verses 1-6, are the following words
of comfort:
"Do not let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust
also in me.
In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would
have told you.
I am going there to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and
take you to be with me
that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place
where I am going. "
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don,t know where you are
going,
so how can we know the way?
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me. (NIV Translation.)
So with those reassuring words in our minds, we may wish to
reflect on
Lindsay,s life and death as we listen once more to our organist,
Bernadette, with some meditative music; at the end of which I
will
read P S A L M 2 3
The Lord is my shepherd;
Lindsay's immediate family included all his siblings and their
families; ROSE, his devoted wife for well over 60 years; JIM,
ELAINE, and GARY, and their respective families, which totals
14 Grand and 18 Great Grand children, and all those who appreciated
him for who he was; especially MAX, from Eureka Village. Linked
to us all, however, are those who grieve with them recognising
that we never mourn alone as we consider the thousands affected
by recent world events; we mourn with them, too.
We are encouraged to continue to talk about Lindsay,s death and
how our emotions have been related to those occasions. In so
doing it will be helpful to all concerned, so why not try it
and enjoy the experience!
Shortly we will be taking Lindsay to his final resting place.
As we do so we will listen to "Amazing Grace. (Played on
the organ.)
Would you please take your instructions from the Director.
=====
(At the graveside.)
I wish to read a poem which I believe captures much of Lindsay's
philosophy
of life.
Miss Me But Let me Go
When I come to the end of the road,
And the sun has set me for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little but not too long.
And with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared.
Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take,
And each must go alone.
It,s all part of the Master,s plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me, but let me go.
So now we come to the final farewell.
(The coffin is slowly lowered into the grave.)
It is with reverence and love, then, that we commit the body
of Lindsay HEWAT to the elements from which it came, grateful
for the extended life that has been lived, and for what the hard
working, contented, sometimes garrulous approach to life has
meant to us.
His creative and orderly mind kept him active to the end`, still
working out problems` to do something in a better way! We are
glad that he lived, that we felt the solid grip of his hand,
and that we appreciated his
interest in his family; all of which added to his unique character.
Above all this, we welcomed the fact of having known him and
loved him.
Friends, please don,t leave him here, take him with you in your
precious
and lasting memories, of which you have many.
Perhaps you may wish to join with me in T H E L O R D 'S
P R A Y E R.
So we leave Lindsay in peace and bid him a fond and loving
farewell.
"Goodbye, Dad; goodbye, Pa; goodbye, Lindsay,
you will be greatly missed, especially by Mini;
but always remembered.
Now at peace;.. with Rose once more!
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