Upper Yarra
2 Tuesday, 27 October, 2015
Medieval festival flourishes
8
Mail Covering the Upper Yarra Region of the Yarra Ranges Shire
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The last dance for our Ron “To go get some milk would take pretty much a day, and another day for coffee,” he said of Ron’s favourite hang-out, the main street of Warburton. He noted the old Crundish Cafe where he had a coffee named after him as a favourite haunt. The bespoke coffee gave a nod to his love of pushing the boundaries. “It had a shot of whisky flavouring in it and I think Ron loved the idea that he was having alcohol at that hour of the morning, despite the fact it was just a flavouring.” Theo spoke of Ron as a unique person who had strong personal standards, was hardworking, a thorough gentleman who always stuck up for what he believed in. His comment: “Ron managed to strike a balance between being a perfect gentleman and being a total bad-ass,” drew nods of recognition and laughter. Family and friends moved to the Mechanics Institute Hall to reminisce in a place that held a special place in Ron’s heart. Continued on Page 3
Above: A recent picture of Ron; always smiling. 145949
Right: Still dancing the portrait of Ron Howard by Ivan Gaal at the service. 145949 Pictures: KATH GANNAWAY
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WARBURTON elder, Ron Howard, has been farewelled with dance, music, song and stories ... lots of endearing and funny stories. Ron, who moved to Warburton in the 1970s with his late wife, Anna-Maria, passed away at his Big Pats Creek home on 15 October. He was just three months shy of his 100th birthday on 27 January, 2016. Unsurprisingly, he chose to make his final public appearance in a spectacular mulberrycoloured coffin. Hundreds of people, representing almost every aspect of the community he loved, gathered on Wednesday at the Seventh-Day Adventist church and later at the Mechanic’s Institute Hall to pay tribute and to celebrate a life lived with joy, generosity and flair. An inspiration with his energy and positive take on life, Ron featured in the Mail on many occasions. He was a reliable contact on local issues and a valued friend of the Upper Yarra Mail. In a Mail interview to mark
his 90th birthday, he recalled first visiting Warburton in 1946 and riding up on the timber tram to Starlings Gap and the Federal Mill. “It was a wonderful experience to see it then in its natural state,” he recalled. In 1970 he and Anna-Maria, bought a block of land at Big Pat’s Creek and a short time later moved their California bungalow house from Beaumaris to become part and parcel of the landscape and the community. Many tributes from family and friends spoke of that wonderful life and of Ron’s Warburton legacy. His grandsons, Oscar and Theo Howard, gave moving tributes and were among family members who wore bow ties as a salute to Ron’s trade-mark fashion style. Oscar noted there was a certain sense of the ridiculous in his grandfather’s choice of coffin. “For anyone here, it’s one thing that doesn’t need explaining,” he said. “I think in his eyes, family extended well beyond those who were related to him, to neighbours and friends,” he said.
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