VALE JOHN BROADFOOT

Fran described her husband John as a kind and gentle family man. Jamie, their son, said his Dad was a contradiction, he was quiet but extremely social, he would sit back and listen and then often come out with a very dry comment.

Throughout his life John has always given to the communities and associations in which he was involved.  At the age of 10 he joined the 7th Pascoe Vale Scouts, he became a Rover and then the Cub Master of his 7th Pascoe Vale Scouts.

Later he became Cub Master at the 4th Doncaster , Eileen McCormack’s son was one of that troop.
He was also  a blood donor from 18 years of age.. The first time I realised I knew him was at the Ringwood Blood Bank. John gave 152 donations over 45 years, a wonderful service to the community.

John always loved sport: Tennis , football and cricket and later golf. But his real love was  athletics, and at 15 years of age he joined the Coburg Harriers. He participated in many country gifts.
He became a football umpire and for the next 20 years he umpired over 300 games. Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and also on Sunday.

He joined the Doncaster Squash Club playing midweek Pennant. He travelled around the state playing in Tournaments. He was awarded a Life Membership of the Club in 1986.

He joined the Doncaster Bowling Club in 2005 , but by then his knees had just about gone and playing bowls was not easy for him. He loved the companionship and social life of the Club more than the bowling.

Xmas fun, John and Eileen McCormack

He spent many happy years there working in the gardens and helping out around the Club.

He was a member of the Recruitment Committee 2011/12. The Greens and Gardens Committee 2012/2018, the Tournament Committee 2014/2016 and the Thursday Night Meals from 2015/2016. These dates don’t really reflect John’s involvement especially with the  Greens Committee because even in the years when he was not officially on this Committee he was always ready to assist in any jobs that needed to be done.

He loved his own garden, he loved his own family and grandchildren, loved animals and in later years enjoyed travelling both overseas and within Australia.

There is another broader and more descriptive article on John’s life written several years ago. Go to……Two Quiet Men with an Interesting Background and Lives Well Lived.

John was 77 when he died on July 6th. Because of Covid restrictions only family attended the funeral and no wake was able to be held.

John and wife Fran

A good citizen valued by many friends, now gone.  VALE  JOHN.

Thank you Fran Broadfoot and Kay Golding for much of this information.