PRESTON – Brian Ernest

Born Monday April 04, 1932. Passed away Saturday October 08, 2022.

Tributes

1. Brian welcomed me into the Preston family when his son Michael and I were married in June 1988, I remember what a fabulous laugh Brian had like Santa’s loud “ho, ho, ho” and beautiful wide smile.
   Being a big lawn bowls family, I decided if you can beat them, join them, so Brian gave me my first lesson at Mudgeeraba Bowls Club. Very calmly and very patiently, he did a great job.
   I never got to play ping pong with him, but wish I had as it was a favourite pastime in our family too.
   I enjoyed travelling up to their lovely home in Peregian Beach where a game of bowls, a fabulous meal cooked by Betty along with walks on the beach and visits to Uncle Keith and Auntie Joyce are cherished.
   I was sad to see them move to Victoria, so far away but always enjoyed their visits to see Morgan, Finn and Gill.
   We also went down to Port Philip Bay and I remember Brian very kindly caught the ferry to Sorrento and picked up the boys for a night or two sleepover at Ocean Grove.
   Whiskies Grandad, as the boys called him, was thrilled to bits to have the Preston name carried on for generations to come. And we were equally thrilled!
   Thankyou Michael and Terese for caring for him so much in his final years. I last spoke with Brian on Father’s Day and he sounded very perky and happy.
   It was my great pleasure to have Brian as my father-in-law for 15 years and beyond. I will miss him.

   Robyn Preston

   October 27, 2022 1:44 pm

2. To the Preston family, I would like to offer my condolences to you on the death of your Dad recently .
   My brother Len Delany and Brian were life long friends even though being separated by many kilometres for many years in Germany. Len and Trudy were so glad to be able to keep up their relationship with Brian and Bet mostly by phone, but also with the occasional trip to Germany or Len and Trudy to Australia. I used to think how nice it was that they could keep in touch and have fun conversations on the phone , mainly on birthdays . I remember Brian when I was quite young and always thought he was a ‘nice, fun fellow’, and we always exchanged Christmas cards after Len left Melbourne in 1955.. I know that Len was so sad to hear of Brian’s death …….apart from family he was his last childhood connection of growing up in the Essendon area, knocking around together , playing footy , cricket and just enjoying each other’s company. Len always loved the family life that the Preston family included him in. I know that Len is really so pleased that you have asked him ‘to sing’ at Brian’s memorial service . I hope it all goes well and that you can give him a great farewell that you’ll be proud of, as you are no doubt proud of him.
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   Nancy Donovan (née Delany)

   October 26, 2022 7:14 pm

3. To the Preston family …….. I would like to offer my condolences to you on the death of your Dad. My brother Len Delany and Brian were life long friends and even though separated by many kilometres in Germany for many years , Len and Trudy were so glad to keep up the friendship mostly by phone but also with the occasional visit to either Germany or Len and Trudy to Australia. I used to think how nice it was that they were able to keep in touch and have fun conversations on the phone …..especially on their birthdays . I remember Brian when I was quite young and always found him ‘ a nice fellow’ ……. And we always exchanged Christmas cards after Len left Australia in 1955. I know Len was extremely sad to hear of his death……… apart from family, Brian was his last childhood connection growing up in the Essendon area , school days and cricket and general ‘knocking around’ together. He enjoyed the fun and warmth of the Preston family .
   I know that Len is really so pleased that you’ve asked him ‘to sing’ at Brian’s memorial service.
   I hope you can give your Dad a terrific send off …… and that you’ll be proud of it, and of course him.

   Warmest regards,
   Nancy Donovan
   Mob. 0418 555 086.

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   Nancy Donovan (née Delany)

   October 26, 2022 6:54 pm