While the day was marked by many emotions, Rex’s secret to a long and healthy life was his ‘special lady that took care of me, married for 74 years’. He shed a tear that Dorothy, the love of his life was not there to celebrate with him.
However, Rex has had a very fortunate life – born in Stirling, then growing up in Underdale on a 12 acre market garden on the banks of the River Torrens, Rex became an active member of the tomato industry, representing growers on the Fruit Growers and Market Gardeners Association; then becoming Chairman. He also served on the Committee for Safe Freight, a company established to provide road freight interstate for produce.
He retired from it all at 60 and has never looked back. He and Dorothy set out on many holidays, travelling to New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Scandanavia to name a few.
Rex enjoyed a long and happy marriage for 73 years, and has a loving family which now includes 2 grandsons and 3 great grand children.
Shylie, ECH’s Resident Liasion Officer shared that “Rex was quite overwhelmed and a bit emotional to see everyone gathered to celebrate with him. He is such a lovely and kind gentleman.”
Rex himself said, ‘I can highly recommend staying around long enough to have a 100th birthday party’.
Living independently, his daughter Lynette shared, ‘Dad is living proof that hard work doesn’t hurt anyone.’
