ONE of Kiama’s most loved and respected citizens, Harold ‘‘Googs’’ Tuohy, 94, was farewelled last Wednesday.
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Mr Tuohy was born on June 20, 1918, one of three sons of Frank and Maude Tuohy, and lived his entire life in Kiama, something he was immensely proud of.
He left school at the age of 13 after attending Kiama Public School and the Catholic School and as a child would earn pocket money caddying for local doctors, dentists and the town clerk when they played golf on a course where Kiama High School now stands.
One of his proudest moments came in 1932 when he and a group of children had their photo taken with Don Bradman and his wife Jessie who were at the Brighton Hotel on their honeymoon.
In 1969 Mr Tuohy wrote to the Bradmans enclosing a copy of the photo and received a handwritten reply from Sir Donald.
He worked in several jobs during his lifetime, including at the NSW Produce Store on Manning St from 1948 until his retirement in 1984.
Mr Tuohy met Kiama girl Molly Jones at a dance at the Odd Fellows Hall (where the Leagues Club now stands) in 1937 when he was 19 and she was 16.
Molly’s mother told her not to see him again as he was too old and ‘‘knew a bit too much’’. They married eight years later.
Mr Tuohy was an excellent sportsman and excelled in a number of disciplines, including tennis, lawn bowls and rugby league.
He played in many premiership teams with the Kiama Knights as well as a reserve grade premiership with Bombo.
He was a prominent member of Kiama Surf Life Saving Club, the club captain from 1939-46, vice president 1947-50 and president 51-54, a committee member for 20 years and was made a life member in 1957.
Mr Tuohy took part in a number of rescues and he received an award in 1942 from the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society of NSW.
He was a founder of the Group Seven Leagues Club (now Kiama Leagues Club), serving on the board for 25 years.
He and Molly were married for almost 66 years.
He is survived by Molly, son Peter and wife Rhonda, grandchildren Brad and Kim and their partners as well as three great-grandchildren.