Vale Desmond Adcock

Long-time Longueville local and prominent businessman Desmond Adcock passed away on 5th January, just before his 95th birthday.

Many people will remember Desmond from the upmarket menswear store he operated in Longueville Road for 20 years, together with his active involvement in the local Chamber of Commerce, particularly during the closing of Burns Bay Road and subsequent development of the Lane Cove Plaza.

Born in Parramatta, Desmond was the third of four sons to Edward and Catherine Adcock. Edward Adcock owned a department store in Parramatta and was an Alderman on the first City Council of the City of Parramatta.

Desmond was educated at the King’s School in Parramatta. In 1941, at the age of 18, he enlisted in WWII and served for 4.5 years in Army Transport NX 152077 based in Far North Queensland.

On return, Desmond married his first wife Nancy and they had two children, Elizabeth and Gregory. While living in Parramatta, Desmond opened a successful menswear store in Padstow.

In 1962, Desmond and his family moved to Longueville where he resided for over 50 years.

Following his first wife’s passing, Desmond married Beverley and the couple shared an immensely happy thirty years together.

Beverley describes her late husband as “a quiet, strong gentleman of great faith, impeccable taste, who was always ethical, honest and kind.”

Desmond opened his menswear store at 126 Longueville Road (next to Lane Cove Optical) in 1972, and it more than lived up to its logo: ‘Fine clothes for men for over 20 years.’

Beverley said that her husband’s menswear store brought a “touch of Bond Street to Lane Cove.”

The high-end store sold suits, shirts, ties and shoes and customers came from all over Sydney to purchase tailor made and off-the-shelf clothing.

Each year, Desmond would travel to Italy to purchase fabrics which he would bring back to Lane Cove, to provide customers with the best selection. He would then arrange for his tailors to hand make the suits.

His daughter Elizabeth recounts that her father was a fashion victim par excellence.

“Fastidious in his choice of outfit, carefully laying it out ahead, pairing just the right tie with the right pocket hankie and shoes always polished to within an inch of their lives.”

Desmond ran the menswear business for 20 years, before retiring in 1992.

Always passionate about the development of businesses in Lane Cove, Desmond was involved in proposed plans for the development of the Plaza. He joined the Chamber of Commerce and became an active member and Office Bearer.

By December 1995, the local Chamber of Commerce was almost defunct. Through his energy, business reputation and determination to see Lane Cove flourish, Desmond rebuilt the Chamber to over 100 members and he was most active in the development of the new Woolworths precinct to provide more off-street parking in Lane Cove.

Keen to put something back into the community that he believed had been so good to him. Desmond also became a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels at Lane Cove Community Aid (now Sydney Community Services) and was a very valued

Gregory Desmond Strangward Adcock

(8th February 1923 – 5th January 2018)

The entrance to Desmond Menswear, located in Longueville Road, 1972-1992 member of the volunteer team.

Desmond was also accepted as a volunteer driver for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A keen gardener, Desmond also enjoyed travel, fly fishing and sculpting (he was a member of the NSW Sculptures’ Society and his work was exhibited and commended).

In 1999 Desmond was presented with a Commonwealth Recognition Award for Senior Australians by Joe Hockey MP.

Ron Taylor, then President of the Lane Cove Chamber of Commerce, nominated Desmond for this award, describing him as a “quiet, unassuming, modest man who does not seek recognition or accolades but who richly deserves them.”

“He is very well known and highly respected in his community and has made a gentle, quiet but most significant contribution to the wellbeing of his neighbours, colleagues and peers.

“He is generous and unstinting in his voluntary work and is a loving and loved husband and father.”

Desmond also received a Citizenship Award for Leadership from Lane Cove Council in 1999 and was made a Life Member of the Lane Cove Chamber of Commerce in 2002. He was a long-time member of the Liberal Party’s Lane Cove branch and the RSL of Lane Cove. In addition, he was a long-time member of Longueville Neighbourhood Watch and Longueville Residents’ Association.

Desmond will be deeply missed by his wife Beverley and his two children Elizabeth and Gregory.