Eulogy of Raymond Charles Trembath
Born: 8 Feb 1923 - Died: 2 Apr 2013
Raymond Charles Trembath was born in Carlton on the 8th of February 1923 to Thomas and Dorothy Trembath. He went to school in Port Melbourne at Graham Street Primary school, starting in 1928 in preps at age 5 and finishing grade 8 in 1936 aged 13. These school years were during the great depression of 1929 to 1939. Australia had 30% unemployment in 1932, so life was not easy for a young Ray and his sisters Hazel, Jean and Dorothy.
Dad managed to find work as a paperboy up on Station Pier Port Melbourne, the hub of shipping in Victoria. Later he became a storeman.
During these formative years, Dad started playing sport, becoming captain of the Nelson Socials Football Team. In one game with the Nelsons, he scored seven goals. He found time to be a "useful cricketer" for Garden City in the VJCA. Some of his cricket scores were 4 for 26 and 6 for 33 so he was a good bowler! Dad was runner up in the Victorian Junior Amateur Lightweight Boxing Championship after getting a split lip in the second round. He also competed in athletics as a runner in an event at the Stall Gift.
No matter the sport, be it football or cricket, he was often noted in the paper as being one of the best players. Thank goodness that the family kept a scrapbook of his press clippings. He moved on to South Melbourne Seconds.
War broke out in 1939 just as the depression finished. Like most young guys, Dad and his mate from the Nelson Socials, Ronnie Barratt enlisted as soon as they could in 1942. After basic training, dad was deployed to Broome in Western Australia, as part of our coastal defence against invasion from the Japanese. Here he was in the Motor Corp and as part of his activities, he was still able to play football for the Motors against teams called the Pounders (artillery), Triangles, RAAF and Sigs.
After the war, Dad returned to work as a storeman. He continued his football career, playing for Port Melbourne in the VFA from 1945. He played in the 1946 Grand Final when Port lost to Williamstown and the 1947 Grand Final when they beat Sandringham. In total he played 55 games for the Borough.
He married Dorothy Joyce Barratt on the 17 November 1945. Dossie was his mate Ronnie's sister. Diane Joy was born on 21 January 1947. Daryl Raymond was born on 16th February 1951 and Stephen John on 15th August 1955. Unfortunately the marriage was not to last when Dossie left Ray at the end of 1959.
Dad worked long hours and suddenly he had three children aged 4, 8 and 12 to care for. With the help of a neighbour, Mrs Clarke (Clarkie) who lived few doors up from the workers cottage we lived in at 7 Mrytle Street, South Yarra, Dad was able to cope, but it must have been hard. Diane went to live with mum later in 1960.
Dad was warehouse manager for Foodlands Stores which are like todays smaller IGA stores. One of the Drivers doing deliveries for Foodlands bought his second truck and put a sign on the back, saying, "you are passing another Fox". Dad resigned from Foodlands on the 19 December 1962, which just happens to be my wife Bernadette's Birth date. He became a Storeman with James Richardson, a tobacco, wine and spirits distributor as it gave him more family time.
Dad took us to visit friends and relatives. We went to Francis SA and Coffs Harbour NSW to visit his sister Dorothy, married to Ken Randall. Ron & Betty and Kevin & Janet were often Sunday lunch destinations. We went to the footy to see Port as well as Melbourne, the trots, greyhound racing – Ronnie had a dog, Lord's Diane that was a champion.
In April 1967, Dad's first marriage was dissolved. This allowed him to restart his life, so on the 29th August 1969; he married his beloved Lila Harriet Young, who he met through his friend Joy Fitzpatrick. Dad, Lila and I moved to Brighton and then to Ashwood.
Dad was welcomed into Lila’s family and time was spent playing 500 with various family and friends. Lila’s brother George was a Trotting trainer. Lila’s daughter Patricia had her own family with Max and Dad is grandfather to her four children, Mark, Sandra, Paula and Craig. Dad enjoyed watching them grow up, get married and have children. To see him in his late 70’s still getting down on the floor to play with great grand children was amazing.
Dad had changed jobs in 1968 to become an SECV meter reader. This required lots of walking. By July 1983, Dad was ready to take early retirement at age 60.
My brother Daryl and sister Diane had moved to Queensland in 1975. Dad and Lila still managed to develop a relationship with Nicole, Michael, Katherine and Christopher and now their children during visits to Queensland and on the phone.
Dad and Lila continued to support Port Melbourne and Dad changed to Richmond. When Dad played for Port, the club got a pennant for winning the Grand Final. In 1997, Port had wall plaques made for each Grand Final Team and presented them at a Dinner. They struck medallions in 2007 for each player from these teams and Dad proudly collected two – one for his efforts in 1947 and one for his Uncle Harry from 1922.
Lila passed away in 2005. With Patricia’s help, Dad continued to live in their unit in Watsonia, until October 2011, when he needed to move into Embracia in Lynbrook. He continued to enjoy life and family until he passed away in his sleep. The staff were wonderful and treated Dad like they would their own grandfather.
Dad lived a wonderful, fulfilling life and touched many people. Those of you that received cards for Christmas and birthdays, and even if you didn’t, will remember him forever. He was a great bloke and a wonderful father.
I love you and will miss you Dad. Rest in peace!