Eulogy 23 - John Patrick (Johnny) Hardwick (1947-2023)

 Eulogy 23 - John Patrick (Johnny) Hardwick (1947-2023

(Written by Warren Maloney on 30th March 2023)


Almost with each season now (because of our Age), we are saying goodbye to mates and family members. Of course, it doesn't get easier as we are also saying goodbye to part of ourselves.

I first met Johnny in Grade 4 at SBC - almost 66 years ago. Our friendship times ebbed and flowed and we caught up again in Rotary and through Business and AFL teams  before the frequent chats in Retirement and during COVID. In my mind, he changed little and was a reminder of the constancy of values and lifestyle that we left behind in Essendon.

But John had a special quality of making/keeping friends no matter what they did - priests to criminals, Catholic devotees to radical lefties, even Carlton or Collingwood supporters. Skin colour mattered nothing. Gender understanding became much better with the aging of his 4 daughters and learning from their views/experiences. He was a glass 3/4s full to the outside World, and 1/5 full in his concerns for the welfare of his family.

He had the smile to fill every room, and the larrikinism to make us all join in.

With wonderful luck, he married a diamond in Carole, although batting above his class with the dating of "a Malvern Sheila".

Health problems did not know him for 70 years and then came with a rush and confusion. But he was calm outwardly about the throw of the dice and accepting of the last rituals of closure.

Somewhere between now and then, we (I) will compartmentalise all that but not close it. Young Boys in grey uniforms and Smiles are excellent companions for the whole Journey!


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