A JACK-of-all-trades with a heart of gold, Junee’s Darcy Preston was farewelled by friends and family after losing his long fight with cancer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Born into a large family in August 1950 at Burrinjuck Dam, Mr Preston gained an appreciation for the country life while his father took the family along with him as he worked on dams.
“Darcy had a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off his back or his last dollar if needed,” his wife Sue wrote in his eulogy delivered at his funeral by Matt Austin.
When Mr Preston’s family moved to Bombala, he left school early and started working at a saw mill – the friends he made there stayed with him and some live in Junee.
In 1977, Mr Preston married Sue in Sydney.
Seven years later, their first daughter Michelle was born with their second child Lynda joining the family 17 months later.
He cared deeply for his three grandchildren, Tanieka, Jacinta and Jay.
“Darcy adored his grandchildren and his son-in-law Sean as they completed his circle of life,” his wife Sue wrote.
While an accident at work in 1995 meant Mr Preston couldn’t continue to work, it didn’t stop him from finding something to do.
“Darcy was a jack-of-all-trades and could put his hand to almost everything,” Sue wrote.
“He enjoyed working on cars and could pull them apart and fix them without a manual.
“He wasn’t one to sit around and always had to be involved in something, so he found other ways to fill his life whether it be a hobby or spending time with family and friends.”
Mr Preston enjoyed meeting new people and enjoying new experiences, but it was Goulburn and Junee that he felt at home.
It was in 2000 that Mr Preston and his family settled in Junee, however it wasn’t their first idea.
After spending time in Tasmania, the family were on their way to Goulburn and called in to Junee to visit friends.
Following a car accident, the family decided to stay in Junee for some time – and it’s where they’ve been since.
In Junee, Mr Preston became a valued member of the Lions Club and later found his niche with the Junee Men’s Shed.
He was made the first life member of the Junee Men’s Shed in June.
When not tinkering with a project at the Men’s Shed, Mr Preston could sometimes be found riding his motorbike, although it took a few bikes to find the right one.
”Motorbike riding was his joy and gave him a sense of freedom,” Sue wrote.
Mr Preston died on July 10 and was farewelled on July 15.