Revered veteran Athol Sylvester Geale was a renowned legend of the George Town community, beloved by people of all ages.
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News of his recent death at 96 years of age reverberated around Tasmania, prompting an overwhelming outpouring of condolences, respects and reflection.
Mr Geale’s bravery and position as the last surviving Tasmanian from the 39th Militia Battalion were well-known locally and beyond.
However, RSL George Town Sub Branch president Don Mackrill said Mr Geale didn’t boast.
"He would talk about what he wanted to talk about,” Mr Mackrill said.
“He would say what he needed to say without going overboard."
About 300 people attended Mr Geale’s funeral on Wednesday.
Mr Geale died on Saturday, June 18.
He was born on April 11, 1920, the eldest of three sons.
He grew up in George Town and attended George Town State School.
He was a fit young man, known to love pulling a practical joke on unsuspecting people with his mates.
Mr Geale enlisted in the army in Victoria when he was 21 years old.
Mr Geale was sent to the Kokoda Track in June 1942, where his battalion faced an incredibly difficult time fighting their enemies.
He contracted malaria and was shot in the leg, leaving him with one leg shorter than the other.
However, the injury hardly impeded his agile nature.
During a sit down on Thursday in George Town, a group of Mr Geale’s closest companions paint a picture of an adventurous man who lived a rich life, riddled with diverse experiences that took him around Australia.
Mr Geale’s cousin and close friend Daryl Camino, who delivered the eulogy at Mr Geale’s funeral, said Mr Geale moved around frequently after he returned from the war.
“He'd knocked around and worked at that many jobs, not only here but in Victoria...in Queensland,” Mr Camino said.
“He went cane cutting, apple picking, security guard, the woolen mill … he was everything, he'd done a lot of work."
Mr Geale met the love of his life, Joyce, when he was 61.
They spent 30 years together, until she died in 2011.
Mr Geale moved back to George Town 30 years ago, and became a well-known and well-loved figure in the community.
His landlady and close friend, Judy Leslie, said the community was utterly devoted to Mr Geale.
"He could just talk to anybody," Mrs Leslie recalled.
She was amazed by the agility of Mr Geale and his wife, as they frequently holidayed around Australia.
One of her favourite memories was accompanying Mr Geale to the Australian War Memorial museum in Canberra.
The historic site amazed the veteran.
He'll be remembered for a long, long time ... I'm sure people will talk about Athol in 100 years to come.
- Athol Geale's cousin Daryl Camino
“He just loved it, he thought it was just fantastic,” Mrs Leslie said.
Mr Geale was committed to ANZAC commemorations.
He was a fixture at the annual George Town parade.
Mr Geale’s great-nephew and carer Danny Johnson said Mr Geale aimed to live for this year’s ANZAC service and his 96th birthday on April 11, and was pleased he achieved both goals.
“He used to countdown to ANZAC Day," Mr Johnson said.
It is the simple memories, and unique and diverse characteristics Mr Geale possessed, that those close to him say they will eternally treasure.
Mr Camino said he’d always appreciated Mr Geale’s dry sense of humour.
He was amazed by Mr Geale’s “impeccable memory”, which was intact right up until he died.
"In asking him a question, you'd create a story," Mr Camino recalled.
Mr Johnson reflected fondly on taking Mr Geale, who was like a grandfather to him, to lunch at his favourite cafe every day.
Up until just a few months ago, Mr Johnson would bring Mr Geale to the local hotel, where he loved to just sit and catch up with his mates every Sunday.
Towards the end of his life, strangers and friends alike flocked to Mr Geale’s bedside to keep his company.
"We had no trouble picking up people to come in and sit with him," Mrs Leslie said.
Mr Geale had the ability to communicate with people of all ages, breaking down generational barriers by sharing stories with younger Tasmanians.
"He knew a lot of young ones...Athol didn't mind about age, he'd talk about anything,” Mr Johnson said.
“He'd do anything for anybody."
Mr Camino recalled Mr and Mrs Geale causing pedestrian congestion whenever they’d go into George Town, as acquaintances and strangers both stopped for a chat with the local legend.
“He was respected so much in the community,” Mr Camino said.
“Everybody knew Athol and his wife.”
His loved ones say they’ll remember his catchphrase “everything in moderation”; his boundless generosity; his love of a red wine; his Collingwood Football Club fanaticism; and his ability to make time to have a chat with absolutely anybody anytime.
Mr Camino, Mr Johnson, Mr Mackrill and Mrs Leslie all agreed that leading up to his death, Mr Geale felt his impressively long life had been rich, rewarding and fulfilling.
He was at peace with his life coming to an end in the lead-up to his death.
"He knew his time was up, he was happy to go in the end," Mr Johnson said.
“He's going to be missed in the town, I can tell you that," Mr Camino said.
"He'll be remembered for a long, long time ... I'm sure people will talk about Athol in 100 years to come."