(written and read by Paula Butt at Henrys service)
A large crowd gathered to farewell and celebrate the beautiful life of Henry Ernest Wilson. Henry was born in Yass and moved to the family farm “Kurrajong”, Westbourne Road, when he was 3 years old and stayed there till his death just recently. Henry attended both Berremangra and Bookham schools before heading to Canberra Grammar to complete his high schooling.
Long time friend Les Bush who was like a brother to Henry commented that Henry “was a wonderful neighbour and friend and was always treated like a brother to the Bush family.” Henry was a devoted husband to Colleen, a loving Dad to Michael, Vicki, Suzie and Mathew. A father-in-law to Mark, Emma, Michelle and Darran, an inspiring and caring Pop to Tom, Sam, Lucy, Skyla, Ella, Hallie, Joel, Jono and Henry. A wonderful brother/friend to Ken and Les Bush, brother-in-law to the Fitzpatrick families and a caring son, son-in-law, uncle and friend to all. Henry was a humble man who loved everyone but especially his family and the land. He never needed the material things in life, never complained and was dignified in life just as he was during his illness.
Henry was given 3 months to live with the original diagnosis but faced his challenge with the same ethic he had for life, to work hard and take it as it came. The care he received from Colleen & Pallative Care Nurses Nikki and Ruben was second to none and he took it all in his stride. Henry was so appreciative and blessed to have the care that he did. It wasn’t the retirement they had planned but Henry, Colleen and the family faced the challenge and savoured every family moment they could.
Just back in May they held a birthday party for Henry and Colleen’s sister Maree; this was a wonderful family occasion and resulted in some beautiful family photos that will be held very dear to the family. The family are so blessed and appreciative of the love that has and will continue to be shown for Henry or H as most would know him. They knew that those who crossed Henry’s path and those attending Henry’s service would know the wonderful man he was, the warm heart he had and that cheeky grin and who will ever forget the blue terry towelling hat, a Henry Wilson trademark!
If you have the privilege of growing up in small communities you are blessed to get to know a lot of people and whilst I have known Henry all my life it’s in our married life that we got to know him better. Henry holds a special place in the hearts of our family. Henry had been coming for a haircut for years. As he arrived, being the gentleman he was, the terry towelling hat would come off and be rolled up in his hand before he greeted you. He would always start the conversation with how much would it cost for the search fee on his head! The haircut wouldn’t take long but we loved our chats and Henry was always so interested in the kids and what was happening with them. Henry loved everyone’s kids and treated them like his own.
Leigh has been wool classing at Henry’s for the past 24 years, only missing one year when we went overseas. Henry let him off the hook but it wasn’t to happen again. Henry and Leigh had a strong relationship and shared many of the same traits and looked to each other for advice and just to have a chat about machinery wool or sheep. Leigh said he was the most knowledgeable man he has ever known when it came to machinery. Charlie, our son, who had worked at the shed at times described Henry as just a top bloke and a good operator. Just a couple of weeks ago at the annual shearing Henry was so pleased when Leigh took the wool down to show him at the house with Henry commenting it had taken 50 years to get it just right.
Henry and Colleen loved their dancing and they looked forward to their dance nights. He loved his tractors and machinery. He loved his trips to Harden on Fridays to pay the bills, I think the cup of teas at Thompsons, Harden Bearings, Hilltops and elsewhere were the real reason he said he just had to go and check on things in town! Whilst sharing time with the family you learn more about someone and the little things they loved. Henry was dignified, humble, caring, considerate and he was a family man. Nothing made him prouder than to watch his family grow and to be part of and watch their achievements. None more special than the beautiful grandchildren who adored their Pop. After the service the family gathered to share stories about Henry at the Jugiong Hall for afternoon tea, beautifully catered for by the Jugiong School P&C. “On earth we lost a good man in Henry But Heaven gained an angel May God hold you in the palm of his hand Henry”.
