Vale Harry , we will all miss you

KIAMA has lost a well-loved community stalwart in Horace "Harry" Budd.

The 98-year-old died on Tuesday, March 27, at the Mayflower Village in Gerringong and will be missed by the Kiama community, in particular members of the Lions Club, who were like family to him.

Gerard McInerney described how members of the Lions Club organised to drive Harry to meetings and events after he had lost his licence.

"There were lots of things in Lions he couldn"t participate in because of not being mobile, but he did as much as he could," Mr McInerney said.

His best memory of Harry was of him sitting in his wheelchair at the showground gates collecting tickets.

Harry was born in London in 1909. He married wife Bronwen in 1949 and they were together until her death almost six years ago.

In 1952 the couple migrated to Australia after encouragement from his sister, who lived here.

Friends recalled the very full life Harry led, which included working in Argentina, catering for the Army, running a restaurant and a butcher"s shop and working as a carpenter and tool maker.

He finally gave up work when he was 75 years old.

Councillor Warren Steel said Harry was a talented carpenter. The pair renovated the Bondi tram that now sits in the centre of the Kembla Grange racecourse.

Cr Steel, who gave the eulogy at Harry"s funeral, had known him since the mid-1950s. He described him as a larrikin and a "very likable guy who was never down, he always had a trick in his eye".

Harry was strongly involved with the community throughout his life. In Kiama he worked on the council"s transport and access committees and Kiama Hospital Auxiliary.

He was chairman of the Arthritis Foundation"s local branch as well as Kiama Home Care and treasurer for the Friends of Kiama Hospital and the Senior Citizens group.

He received a NSW Premier"s Award in 1989.

Kiama Lions Club president Ray Redgrave said the club had "lost a really, really good man".

Kiama MP Matt Brown said Harry was a "wonderful man, a real gentleman",

"My life is far better for knowing him," Mr Brown said.

Harry is survived by his niece Barbara and family.