ONE of Lorne\u2019s most beloved figures has been remembered as \u201cLorne through and through\u201d.<\/p>\n
Don Stewart passed away peacefully, at a nursing home less than 500 metres from where he had lived his entire life, on January 5. He was 88.<\/p>\n
Born in 1933, Don founded Lorne Real Estate in 1976, which has expanded and is now known as Great Ocean Road Real Estate.<\/p>\n
Don was also a legend at the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club, being one of the club\u2019s post-war founders, among the club\u2019s first Bronze Medallion squad, and later teaming with double surf ski partner, the late Ian Hunt, with great success at state and national championships.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019s son Ian left school and worked with Don in real estate in Lorne until Don retired 15 years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was someone whose guidance, mentoring and mateship of not only his family but everyone he knew, was exemplary right to the finish,\u201d Ian said last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been Lorne through and through and through.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter whether it\u2019s the surf club, fire brigade, football club, he\u2019s been active in everything.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just had a demeanour, and not a bad word to say about anybody, and never no time to stop and ask about someone or how their family was getting on. Just the amount of good wishes and support that\u2019s been coming towards us, it\u2019s been humbling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ian said his father\u2019s final days at the Lorne Nursing Home were characteristic of a man who had been deeply connected to the town from start to finish.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the room beside him was another Lorne legend, by the name of Henry Love – Henry was the founding manager of the Lorne Fishing Co-Operative.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the two guys, 80 years earlier, were sitting together in the Lorne school.<\/p>\n
\u201cHenry\u2019s still with us, Dad\u2019s now gone, but you see both of them finish their final years side by side, just as they started their long journey, you realise you\u2019re pretty damn lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Lorne SLSC also paid tribute to Don with a post on their Facebook page.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon was a foundation member, instrumental in establishing the club who later became a life member in acknowledgement of his hard work and dedication.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur thoughts are prayers are with the family during this sad time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Don Stewart is survived by his three sons: Ian, Brett and Scott; and six grandchildren: Frazer, Grace, Zara, Jessica, Lilli, and Skye.<\/p>\n
He was laid to rest at a private burial yesterday (Wednesday, January 12), which was followed by a service to commemorate his life at the Lorne Country Club.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ONE of Lorne\u2019s most beloved figures has been remembered as \u201cLorne through and through\u201d. Don Stewart passed away peacefully, at a nursing home less than 500 metres from where he had lived his entire life, on January 5. He was 88. Born in 1933, Don founded Lorne Real Estate in 1976, which has expanded and […]<\/p>\n