A Memory of a Great Mate – Gone too soon

I live in Sandgate and work in Redcliffe, so I cross the Houghton Highway every day. And yes, it’s seven days a week – I work on Saturday for a few hours and then come in on Sunday to feed my fish

And every day, I look north-west across Bramble Bay and say good morning to my mate, Lex. Lex passed away on April 4th 2019 from Mesothelioma. Lex told me about the disease a couple of years before, in 2016 I think and to say I was shocked would be an understatement. Lex was a fighter, tough as nails, but with a heart the size of Queensland. He told me he’d do everything he could to fight it.

We spent more time together from then than we had since I first met Lex in the early 1980s. Lex came to work with me at Torque Ford for a while. After a couple of years, he left to start his demolition business. Lex and I had lunch with rugby league legend, Trevor Gillmeister to discuss the disease (Trevor’s dad died from it) and Trevor had raised funds for the Asbestos Foundation walking from Townsville to Brisbane in 2014.

Trevor told Lex that from diagnosis, most people died within 13 months on average. When we left our lunch, on the way back to the car, Lex said one word. “Bugger”

But I knew then that he’d fight it with all his being and he did. It was probably about 2 years from then that Lex passed.

I miss Lex as a friend, a confidante and as importantly as a mate. He was respected in his community and defiantely in the building trade.

And Lex, buddy, I’ll keep saying g’day to you every time I cross the bridge. Stay well