18th Eastern Link - Province 20 Catenians of Western Australia

EASTERN LINK The Catenian Association Strengthening family life through friendship and faith PROVINCE 21
OBITUARIES…
BROTHER GREG SMYTH RIP
Late of City of Sydney Circle
Peacefully passed to eternal life on 16 th June 2013
Please remember Colleen and Family in your prayers
May he rest in peace Amen.
Brother Gregory Patrick Smyth passed to his Maker at 1:00am on Sunday 16 th June at Sutherland Hospital.
Greg has had an incredibly tough two years in and out of Saint Vincent’s Hospital.
He was a foundation brother when the City of Sydney Circle was inaugurated on 22 nd July 1971, was
treasurer for two years, Vice President in 1989 and President in 1990. On his buying trips to China he visited
the Hong Kong Circle and was always warmly welcomed.
Greg was a class mate of Brother Joe McGuinness and two past brothers Tony Tynan and Bob McLaughlin
(all City of Sydney) and this quartet have remained close mates for over 50 years. He was a very proud exstudent
of Marist Brothers High School at Kogarah from where many of our City of Sydney brothers received
their education and Catholic faith.
Bob McLaughlin spoke in his eulogy of their days at school in the army cadets when they were placed in
charge of the quartermaster’s store. A delivery of Enfield 303 rifles was made complete with bolts. A few
rounds of ammunition were found, loaded and accidentally discharged with the ricochet hitting one of the
boys, fortunately not a serious injury! Greg then had a reputation at the school of “don’t argue” with him, he
shoots you! He was also in the football team and tennis squad.
Bob also spoke of Greg’s ability to make friends easily and keep contact with them; many of these 60 year
friends are in the congregation today. His telephone was in constant use ringing his many friends and just
“keeping in touch”
Greg’s prized possession was a collection of Penfold’s Grange Hermitage. He had Bob McLaughlin to
dinner one evening, opened and savoured one bottle of “Grange”, uncorked a second which was not
finished and put aside. Next evening Greg looked for the half bottle of his “sacred red” only to find Colleen
had used it to make some jelly!!!!. This must go down in history as the first and the last “Grange Jelly”.
The C.Y.O. (Catholic Youth Organisation) was in full swing in the 1950-60’s. Greg and his mates were very
regular attendees at the meetings and social events because all the good looking Catholic girls were there!
At one of these functions he was captivated with a tall, beautiful brunette. He married his devoted wife
Colleen Veness at Saint Finbar’s Sans Souci in 1962. They were blessed with one son, Greg Junior, their
daughter-in-law Susan and two grandchildren Georgia & Victoria. With their family they celebrated their
Golden Wedding in 2012.
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JUNE Page 55 2013