My little brother George was a giant of a man. He had a giant’s passion and love for life, for his children, for his family and for his friends. And in turn he was dearly loved by his children, his family and his friends. Indeed George had many passions in life, too many to mention in the brief time we have to share together, so if I may, let me mention briefly, those most dearest to him, I hope in the right order. First and foremost, as all will tell you, were his children Erin, Christopher and Luca. Then came his love for his family and friends, his love for music, sport and pride in his work. Being a giant of a man, he loved them with all his being.

George loved all his children, equally. I think George would like it known that he was especially proud of Luca, who was with his father in his final moments, when he needed him most. Luca acquitted himself when it mattered most to his father with courage, intelligence and a maturity well beyond his tender years. Let me remind everyone especially his children he loved them all equally. And he had the most amusing ways of disciplining them. He would remind his sons to stop their bickering by saying, “Look at me and Uncle Nic, this is how brothers behave, like close mates!” and he’d hug me in a giant embrace that shook all of me and would make us all laugh.

Georgie didn’t just have a good sense of humour, it was infectious and its vehicle was his giant booming laughter, as all will attest. Georgie cultivated his humour from a very early age eg, he’d hide in a cupboard to surprise the next person to open the door, by turning on his flashlight, snapping to attention and identifying himself as Det. Inspector George Croce, Homicide, his favourite show as a little boy. As a high-spirited teenager, his response to discipline and authority in the meek and mild-mannered form of my mother pleading for a tidier room, was to pick her up, place her on his shoulder and run up and down the corridor until she caved in with laughter. It was difficult to stay angry with him, besides he’d say, what harm could you possibly do to a giant of a man.

George had many fine qualities appreciated by all those he touched and if I may, I will briefly mention his finest from the perspective of all who knew him, including of course his co-workers and employers, followed by a quick example. George’s employers, co-workers, friends and family found him to be honest, loyal, dedicated, responsible, enthusiastic, intelligent, innovative, adaptable, willing and sincere. On the rare occasion when George had time for himself he would willingly volunteer his labour and expertise to help out those in need. A good example was his favourite form of providing assistance to those who only had to ask, what he lovingly called Dodgy Brothers Constructions. George helped his only niece renovate, renew her new house and realise her dream of living in her new home, where he was always welcomed. He helped with the same enthusiasm, dedication, skill, leadership and good humour, often calling on his consummate diplomacy and sense of fairness, honed from his days as a referee. I know he would have appreciated and admired the respect and dignity shown by his friends and family as an example, all teams George coached and or refereed wore a black arm-band to honour and remember him. George was also a 2^nd Dan black belt, a sport he competed in for many years, refining his self-discipline, courage, strength and agility.

My little brother loved his music and played in a number of bands as a young man, supporting fellow musicians such as the Angels, for that’s how they saw him, a talented, fellow musician. I was most fortunate in joining one of those bands, in recent years. We formed a foursome, and with original material written by a close friend and brother of the fourth member, our music was enjoyed by our ethereal audience, just as soon as we recorded and entered the ABC Music Awards last year, our tracks reaching the finals and uploaded to the web. Like many music fans, George had his favourites, his most favourite tunes encompassed many styles of music and closest to his heart were our tracks The Southern Lights, as it speaks of hope, unity and understanding, The Boys of Cobb and Co because it appealed to his sense of humour and a track called Saturday is Fathers Day because that’s when his children would return to him.

I ask you now to join me in my farewell and to remember him with laughter, kindness and dignity.