It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to our friend and fellow Rotarian, Bob Bury. In February, Bob was diagnosed with having malignant brain tumours, which resulted in him losing his fight for life a few months later and he will be greatly missed by us all.
It was an eclectic group of about 300-400 people who gathered together with the Bury family at St Paul’s Church in Jasper Road, Bentleigh, at 11.30 am on Monday 13th October to remember and celebrate the life of our friend Bob. Friends and colleagues were there from all walks of life and representing the many organizations in which Bob was involved, including Rotary, Inner Wheel, Marriott Support Services, the Banking and Golfing Fraternity and the Freemasonry. The flag was flying at half mast at the Glen Eira City Town Hall and we’d like to think that was in recognition of Bob’s service to the community in his role of Mayor in 2003-2004.
Father Michael Sierajowski officiated and what a lovely, caring and friendly man of the church he was. He was able to get the Bury family to rise above their grief and laugh together prior to the commencement of the Mass and he stood beside Marney with a smile and words of support as she bravely welcomed everybody. Father Michael then led us all through the happy and sad moments of the service in a warm, personal and compassionate manner.
The five grandchildren each lit a memorial candle and friends and family placed symbols on Bob’s coffin representing aspects of his life, including a photo of him looking resplendent in his Mayoral robes, his Essendon footy scarf, and I was honoured to place Bob’s well worn Rotary cap and his Paul Harris ‘gong’, together with some chocolate to take with him to the pearly gates. Fellow RCMM Rotarian Sven Johansen was one of the stalwart and stoic pallbearers.
Bob’s eldest Granddaugher, Jacinta, read aloud a letter she had written to her Pop and there wasn’t a dry eye in the church when she had finished. Eulogies were given by Bob’s daughter Caroline, Barry Roberts, Ken Dowling, and Peter Lewis and a letter that his son Michel had composed was read on his behalf. Prayers for the Faithful were said by other family members and then a photo presentation was made which reflected on the life and times of Bob, especially with his soul mate Marney and his beloved family.
Bob had been a Rotarian for 24 years which began in June 1984, when he was a Charter Member of the original Rotary Club of Moorleigh and was President in 1989-1990. He was again elected to this office for the Rotary year of 2007-2008 but due to his ill health, was unable to continue actively in this role in the second six months. A Paul Harris Fellow was awarded to Bob in the Rotary year of 1993-1994 and at Change Over this year, the Club presented Bob with a PHF sapphire.
Bob’s membership in the world-wide fellowship of Rotary was one that he cherished and was committed to serving for and with. He was an active Club member and over the years took on many Committee responsibilities and participated in a great number of the events and happenings. Bob’s Rotary Identification number will always be 892240.
Bobs final resting place is now in the Cheltenham Cemetery and before we said our final goodbye, red and black balloons were released by the children to the cheer of Go Bombers! Bob would have liked that. Marney had about 100 people back at her house later and it made a happy closing to a very emotional day for us all.
Rest in peace, dear friend.
It was an eclectic group of about 300-400 people who gathered together with the Bury family at St Paul’s Church in Jasper Road, Bentleigh, at 11.30 am on Monday 13th October to remember and celebrate the life of our friend Bob. Friends and colleagues were there from all walks of life and representing the many organizations in which Bob was involved, including Rotary, Inner Wheel, Marriott Support Services, the Banking and Golfing Fraternity and the Freemasonry. The flag was flying at half mast at the Glen Eira City Town Hall and we’d like to think that was in recognition of Bob’s service to the community in his role of Mayor in 2003-2004.
Father Michael Sierajowski officiated and what a lovely, caring and friendly man of the church he was. He was able to get the Bury family to rise above their grief and laugh together prior to the commencement of the Mass and he stood beside Marney with a smile and words of support as she bravely welcomed everybody. Father Michael then led us all through the happy and sad moments of the service in a warm, personal and compassionate manner.
The five grandchildren each lit a memorial candle and friends and family placed symbols on Bob’s coffin representing aspects of his life, including a photo of him looking resplendent in his Mayoral robes, his Essendon footy scarf, and I was honoured to place Bob’s well worn Rotary cap and his Paul Harris ‘gong’, together with some chocolate to take with him to the pearly gates. Fellow RCMM Rotarian Sven Johansen was one of the stalwart and stoic pallbearers.
Bob’s eldest Granddaugher, Jacinta, read aloud a letter she had written to her Pop and there wasn’t a dry eye in the church when she had finished. Eulogies were given by Bob’s daughter Caroline, Barry Roberts, Ken Dowling, and Peter Lewis and a letter that his son Michel had composed was read on his behalf. Prayers for the Faithful were said by other family members and then a photo presentation was made which reflected on the life and times of Bob, especially with his soul mate Marney and his beloved family.
Bob had been a Rotarian for 24 years which began in June 1984, when he was a Charter Member of the original Rotary Club of Moorleigh and was President in 1989-1990. He was again elected to this office for the Rotary year of 2007-2008 but due to his ill health, was unable to continue actively in this role in the second six months. A Paul Harris Fellow was awarded to Bob in the Rotary year of 1993-1994 and at Change Over this year, the Club presented Bob with a PHF sapphire.
Bob’s membership in the world-wide fellowship of Rotary was one that he cherished and was committed to serving for and with. He was an active Club member and over the years took on many Committee responsibilities and participated in a great number of the events and happenings. Bob’s Rotary Identification number will always be 892240.
Bobs final resting place is now in the Cheltenham Cemetery and before we said our final goodbye, red and black balloons were released by the children to the cheer of Go Bombers! Bob would have liked that. Marney had about 100 people back at her house later and it made a happy closing to a very emotional day for us all.
Rest in peace, dear friend.
PP Sheila Ward
