“Later in Dad’s life he enjoyed working down at the shed with Bob Sly, tending to his veggie garden and God help you if he caught you in the street and you had somewhere to be… we all know he loved to have a chat.”

Many local business people will miss Bob brightening their day by calling in for a cuppa and a chat.

Son, Bruce shared that it was impossible to express in mere words the honesty, integrity and sensitivity of the man we called Dad.

“He was a man who shared every moment of his life with his family, and was religious in his 7pm Sunday calls to the grandkids.

“As a child, dad taught both Damien and myself all of the country lifestyle skills that he would, by necessity have used to help support Nan, Molly & Cath, his sisters, in his youth.

“We all heard stories of walking to Kianga to go round the rabbit traps before school. Or, for a bloke who even in later life could hardly paddle to save himself, rowing out in a little skiff straight off the bar for a feed.

“My early memories are of traipsing over every farm from Bodalla to Cobargo, trapping or shooting rabbits. 5am starts to make sure we were back in time for the tide to be right to grab the boat, because the tailor were biting, or putting on the sand shoes for the bream among the oyster leases.

“One Sunday in later years I received the obligatory phone call, to hear about the day’s catch whilst fishing for Snapper of Brou in the 14-foot boat: Caught a marlin instead. It towed them out over six miles, big as the boat, couple of hours and yes – on a handline, so hands are cut to pieces.

“Typical laid back, no fuss, Dad.

Nephew, Paul Barry, who was unable to attend the funeral recalled:

“Uncle Bob was the perfect uncle for a kid growing up on the water, who was only interested in fishing, fish stories and messing with boats. He had grown up on the water too and never tired talking about it.”

“We saw Uncle Bob for a few days before last Christmas. We enjoyed this time immensely and will always cherish it. Uncle Bob was so wonderful, generous, kind and understanding with our kids. We have a gorgeous photo of Uncle Bob with our son, Daniel, sitting on his lap and both of them have wonderful huge grins on their faces. That is how I will always remember him.”

Niece, Angela Hansen said: “My memories are of a man who was more than an uncle to me; he replaced the father I never had.

“He was not an overly demonstrative man, as a child I remember you almost had to hog tie him to give him a kiss, (luckily he grew out of that in later years) but he was always there for me and the rest of the family.

“I have wonderful memories of rowdy family get-togethers, especially Christmas dinners before my mother and aunty died when we would all be crammed in together at Molly’s house, these memories are what we now have to treasure. Bob will be greatly missed by me, my brother Garry & his family and all who knew him. I will always be grateful for the extra time I got to spend with him in the last couple of months.”

Member for Bega, Andrew Constance, MP said: “Bob was Mr Narooma. He was a true champion who really cared for his community. His passion for a dam in the southern part of the shire, to forestry and other community issues has been beneficial to the social well being of the community. His passing is a tragic loss to the Narooma community.”

Bob joined the Narooma Lions Club in 1973 and was made a life member in 2000 after 27 years of service. He loved everything about the club and wore their badge with pride.

Bob was an active and valued member of the Club for over 30 years, missing the charter dinner by one meeting “because the buggers forgot to tell me it was on,” he told the members at the Club’s 30th anniversary dinner.

His most recent Lions award recognized his work towards sight services, including Vision Australia and glasses recycling, with the Harry Hession award

Lions’ president, George Hogge, said Bob was always the first to volunteer when a job had to be done.

“Narooma has lost a real man for others, and we will miss him so much.”

Bob was actively involved in all the Club’s projects, most recently the Cemetery Pavilion, glasses recycling, Lions Christmas Cakes, and of course marshalling the campers at Mojo’s Campground each year at the Blues Festival.

Fellow Lions, Sylvia and Tony Fryer echoed the sentiments of club members, and of members of the wider community, saying: “Narooma will not be quite the same without our dear friend, Bob.

“We are so glad we were able meet him. Like so many who came to Narooma to live, Bob as a local son befriended us and showed us “the ropes”.

“His local knowledge, hunting, fishing and gathering has been passed on to many of us whose lives he has enriched.

“Good bye dear friend, thanks for the memories, and that last drink we shared.”

Bob is survived by his wife, Sandra, sons Damien and Bruce and grandchildren, Shaun and Miah.