No formal funeral service will be held for the prime minister’s late father, John Gillard, who has donated his body to science.
Instead his loved ones and friends will mourn his death and celebrate his life at a private gathering, says a death notice in today’s Adelaide Advertiser.
‘‘John was a humble man who always sought to help others,’’ the notice says.
‘‘He died as he lived and has donated his body to science and requested that there should be no formal funeral service.’’
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The notice says the 83-year-old passed away peacefully on September 8 and was the ‘‘much-loved husband of Moira, father of Alison and Julia, grandfather of Jenna and Tom’’ and honoured by ‘‘Tim, Damien and Laura’’.
"Those wishing to honour his memory are asked to donate to his favourite charity, Medecins Sans Frontieres.’’
Ms Gillard was in Vladivostok for the APEC summit when she learned her father had died unexpectedly on Saturday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin broke the news at the conference, saying Ms Gillard could not be present because of her father’s sudden death.
Ms Gillard left the summit almost immediately and arrived in Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.
The prime minister has asked for privacy and has not spoken publicly about her loss, but in a statement she said she was in shock even though her father had been battling illness.
United Voice has also placed a notice in the Advertiser, saying the union’s South Australian branch passes on its sincere condolences to Mr Gillard’s family.
‘‘John had a long-standing commitment to the union movement and was an active member of United Voce from 1967 to 2000.
‘‘John’s service and commitment was recognised when he was awarded Life Membership of United Voice.
‘‘John upheld union values, and often talked of the impoverished conditions of vulnerable workers and the benefit of collective action through union membership.‘‘His life was spent improving the lives of others.’’
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/polit...-to-science-20120912-25r9c.html#ixzz26DIjr6Zd
Instead his loved ones and friends will mourn his death and celebrate his life at a private gathering, says a death notice in today’s Adelaide Advertiser.
‘‘John was a humble man who always sought to help others,’’ the notice says.
‘‘He died as he lived and has donated his body to science and requested that there should be no formal funeral service.’’
Advertisement
The notice says the 83-year-old passed away peacefully on September 8 and was the ‘‘much-loved husband of Moira, father of Alison and Julia, grandfather of Jenna and Tom’’ and honoured by ‘‘Tim, Damien and Laura’’.
"Those wishing to honour his memory are asked to donate to his favourite charity, Medecins Sans Frontieres.’’
Ms Gillard was in Vladivostok for the APEC summit when she learned her father had died unexpectedly on Saturday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin broke the news at the conference, saying Ms Gillard could not be present because of her father’s sudden death.
Ms Gillard left the summit almost immediately and arrived in Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.
The prime minister has asked for privacy and has not spoken publicly about her loss, but in a statement she said she was in shock even though her father had been battling illness.
United Voice has also placed a notice in the Advertiser, saying the union’s South Australian branch passes on its sincere condolences to Mr Gillard’s family.
‘‘John had a long-standing commitment to the union movement and was an active member of United Voce from 1967 to 2000.
‘‘John’s service and commitment was recognised when he was awarded Life Membership of United Voice.
‘‘John upheld union values, and often talked of the impoverished conditions of vulnerable workers and the benefit of collective action through union membership.‘‘His life was spent improving the lives of others.’’
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/polit...-to-science-20120912-25r9c.html#ixzz26DIjr6Zd
