Ross Beverley 2015

Eulogy for Ross

Fay and Max Beverley, parents of Ross, went to school together in Ipswich Queensland. They both worked in the Bank of New South Wales when their romance blossomed. They married in 1945 and their firstborn son was Ross, followed 2 years later by his brother Ian. Fay and Max were both only children, and Ross’ brother Ian did not marry or have a family, so it was up to Ross to keep the Beverley family name going. He succeeded in this by marrying Paulette and they then had 4 beautiful children in a very few years.

Because Ross’ father Max worked in the oil industry, he moved around a great deal and Ross attended 7 different schools. This probably helped develop his socialising skills, which as many will know are legendary.

Ross was in the first class to attend the newly opened Asquith Boys High School and enjoyed the excitement of walking with his schoolmates into a brand new school. Ross’ final school was Church of England Grammar in Brisbane, and at that time his brother Ian also attended and played in the First Fifteen and held many records in track and field. Ross was skinny in those days and considered ’too light’ for contact sport, so he used his sporting skills to excel at Golf. His Dad, Max, played off 1 so there were good golfing genes there. Ross is probably best remembered at school for muck-up day mischief, like putting the headmaster’s chair on top of the flagpole in the school grounds.

However Ross’ main passions were making models planes, fishing and cooking. His modelling skills were top class, fishing skills (in which the 2 boys were usually involved), normally provided a meal for the family, and then the gourmet cooking thereof. A good arrangement for the whole family!

Ross’ professional career was in the Advertising Industry, in the days when outrageous ideas with appropriate remuneration, and equally outrageous lunches were the norm. Those days were embraced vigorously by Ross, and he was responsible for some very successful campaigns. When the industry became more circumspect Ross changed direction and established his own small agency which flourished for many years.

In his pre-Retirement phase, he decided to have a sea-change and ventured into the world of Kitchen Designing. As a young man he had considered studying Architecture, so had a great skill set for such work, and of course was a charming salesman. He especially liked speaking with his lady clients on various aspects of cooking and how best to set up the kitchen!! The ladies loved him! He revelled in this work and was sorry when he was unable to continue.

Unfortunately his health took a serious blow in 2004 when he contracted pneumonia for the first time and it had been a steady decline since then. He dealt with his limitations with great strength and a positive attitude. Mind you he was not positive about the Cricket selectors and various Rugby decisions which he vocalised at great volume.

His gregarious manner actually masked a deeper spiritual side, and he greatly enjoyed becoming part of the Catholic Community at Wahroonga when the children were at Prouille Primary School. He was the self-proclaimed Chairman of the Protestant Fathers’ Committee!

He had a great affection for Saint Mary MacKillop, and this was only reinforced when we attended Mass in her chapel at North Sydney some years ago and Nicole Kidman was sitting next to him in the pew!

We are greatly comforted by the comments our family has received from their friends, which really reinforce what a charismatic character he was and many can tell really great stories, some for general distribution, some not.

Life with Ross was never dull with his colourful speech, strong ideas and general intolerance for those who did not share his opinion. Yet his pride in, and love for, his wife, children and their partners and then the grandchildren was his greatest gift to us. He was firm in his dealings with his children (no tattoos, no motorbikes) but his actions in supporting their every endeavour showed how much he loved them, and how proud he was. As a family, with his encouragement, we always enjoyed just being together, talking loudly over meals around the table, with lots and lots of laughter.

Ross, you leave such a big hole in our lives, yet you have left us with such rich memories and the knowledge that we were the most important thing in your life.