By KATH GANNAWAY
TRIBUTES have poured into the Ben’s Shed Facebook page saluting and mourning the death of president, Bob Finch.
Bob, or ‘Bobby’ as he was affectionately known, died suddenly at 73 on Saturday, 2 July, after a short bout of pneumonia.
He was a founding member of Ben’s Shed in Yarra Junction and the glue which held it together over the years.
Among the tributes was one from past Ben’s Shed President, Leigh Hardy who described Bob as a ‘local icon’.
“Ben’s Shed will be the poorer without Bob,” he said.
“Always seen around town in his motorised chair, often outside Ben’s Shed or the shopping centre. It was always best to step clear when Bob had the throttle open.”
“Miss seeing you outside Ben’s Shed” summed up the feelings of most contributors who spoke of his friendly and generous nature, his laugh and his smile, enthusiasm, and recognition of him as “a great Aussie battler”.
His daughter, Anni Finch, said her dad was “… a man who was always up for a chat and a laugh, always willing to help others, loved his family and valued his friendships he made across this valley over the last 20-odd years, and a lot of lifelong ties as well.”
A service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at Heritage Funerals in Woori Yallock on Tuesday, 12 July, at 11am.
