ROGER FITZGERALD
Memorial Service
Carlton, Tasmania 14 July 2011
Thanks & Thoughts from Judy Fitzgerald
THANKS TO:
Our family and friends who have stood by both Roger and I and have been so supportive;
Alison and Brian for putting into practice so well, what Roger and I had vaguely talked about;
Our GP—Robyn Matthews—for managing Roger’s illness so sensitively and practically;
The South East Nursing Service for their wonderful care;
Palliative Care for their support;
All this practical support and care helped make Roger’s last few months much more comfortable and bearable.
Finally, a great thank you to all involved in organizing this celebration, particularly Marion for organizing the hall decoration and John for collating the photograph albums.
This gathering was Roger’s wish and I’m sure Roger’s here in spirit to celebrate along with everyone. He will be sorry to miss such a splendid afternoon tea!
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WORDS
Meeting Roger. The first time we met was on a bush walk at Fortescue Bay. I was intrigued by this man who was always ‘tail-end Charlie’, the last person in the walking group, and the fact that—unlike everyone else—he walked through creeks without taking his hiking boots off.
Caring Roger. Roger and I were both participants in the Peninsula theatre group trips. We got together because he felt he had to escort me as we were the only two single people in the group.
Travelling Roger. Roger said that the true test of two people being able to live together was whether they could travel together and still remain friends. I was happy to pass the test on our 3-month backpacking trip to South America and the UK!
Romantic Roger. He lost his wedding ring two weeks after our marriage!
Chef Roger. Not long after getting to know Roger I completed a course in microwave cooking at Port Arthur. I very proudly took some microwaved scones to his place for morning tea only to discover he had cooked far better scones in the traditional way!
Curious Roger. Roger loved to learn new things about the world, for example he was keenly interested in geology and he especially loved words.
Supportive Roger. Roger gave me amazing emotional support during the Port Arthur tragedy and its aftermath. I could not have managed it without him.
Exploring Roger. Roger used to joke that no place was worth visiting unless you could first drive to it. As many here know he loved walking and visiting out of the way places.
I would like to finish with this poem.
Lighthouse
Joanne Douglass 1961 –
New Zealand Widow
There may be times ahead
when I question
the reason you are gone
and how I might now fashion my future
There may be times ahead
that leave me without a shell
to protect and defend my uncertain position
in the face of new challenges
There may be times ahead
when I question
the purpose and form
of this confusing, frustrating existence
But there will never, ever be a time
when I wonder if I was loved.
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ROGER FITZGERALD CELEBRATION
14 JULY 2011
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
GREETING
‘We have come together etc’
In silence sharing our thoughts and memories, individual and collective
MUSIC 1 – Albioni
This brings us to pray “Loving God etc”
FAMILY SPEAKERS
READING Eccles. 3, 1-9, 12&13 (a) ALISON
Prayer: ‘Lord God you were happy”
MUSIC 2 – Crusell
OTHER SPEAKERS
Prayer: “Grant Lord to all”
READING Matthew 5, 3-10 ALISON
MUSIC 3 – Paganini Rhapsody
Prayer: “We thank you”
READING 1 Corinthians 12, 3 (b) – 14 (a) ALISON
Prayer: “Let us pray for ourselves”
Lords Prayer & Judy’s words (brother John)
MUSIC 4 – Deep Peace
• Commendation
• Committal ALISON
• Irish Blessing
MUSIC 5 – Jazz for Departure
• Pall bearers in place
• Brian and funeral director lead
• Alison leads the families behind casket
MUSIC
In Order of Playing
1. ‘The Art of the Oboe’ Track 10 5 Mins 20 secs.
Albioni Adagio
2. ‘Crusell – Clarinet Concertos’ Track 2 4 Mins 13 secs.
Adagio Concerto No. 1
3. ‘Moonlight Melodies’ Track 2 2 Mins 40 secs
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
4. ‘The Swan Collection III Track 4 4 Mins 48 secs
Deep Peace
5. ‘Associated Flavours – The High Sierra Jazz Band
To accompany casket from Hall to Hearse
& then played to end as background music
6. “The Essential Country’ Disc 1
All the way through as background music
7. ‘We’re Really Quite Famous You Know’ – Jazz as per item 6
[See also Media Files]