JOHN THADDIUS GEBHARDT OAM

6th January 2011
of Garden Suburb
Aged 63 Years

Dearly loved husband of LUCY, much loved father and father-in-law of ANNETTE and SHANE, JOLANTA and BEAU, and DIANNA. Loved son of OLA and FRANCISZEK (both dec`d), deeply cherished brother and brother-in-law of ELIZABETH and ANTHONY, loved uncle of NICHOLAS and DANIEL. Deeply missed by the POLAK and ZAREBNY FAMILIES.

Relatives and Friends were invited to attend JOHN`s Funeral Mass  held in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral, Hamilton on TUESDAY 11/1/11 commencing at 1pm, followed by interment at Sandgate Lawn Cemetery.

I was born in1950 at Chatham Rd. Broadmeadow.I formed a deep friendship with a slightly older kid next door who I  knew as Tadzio (which I always pronounced Dah-joo) For many years I thought this a normal Aussie name. He was slightly older than me and the fount of all wisdom as far as I was concerned. I loved him like a brother and sought to emulate him in all things. His family moved to Mayfield and I visited them on many weekends, Then my family moved to the country (Molong).

We saw less of each other but he did come out one set of school holidays (by train by himself) and I positively mourned him when he returned. Our families then saw less of each other over the years but the friendship was always there and periodically renewed. I remember his parents well as they got on very well with mine. I especially remember his mothers food ( those doughnuts and fried cheesy things that I’ve never tasted since).

He was a formative influence on my life and through him I found a moral compass that I needed. So much of what he imparted I absorbed like a sponge. I even learned modern history from him at a very tender age and was pleasantly surprised to later discover things that he told me as a kid were true. I felt privileged that as immersed as he was in the Polish community he still always had time for a local kid like me.

He was a great Australian.........and my mate.

My condolences to all his family and friends. You have lost much.

Ian McGillivray  

10/2/2011