John (Jack) Dillon

8.1.1931 - 14.7.2024

IT speaks volumes for the way Jack Dillon lived his life that he's being remembered with a smile by many fellow Wangaratta residents this week.

The renowned raconteur, patriarch and long-time local, who was the last surviving member of the Wangaratta Rovers' inaugural Ovens and Murray side, passed away on Sunday morning aged 93.

Husband of Peta for 67 years, Jack was a father of 10 (Jackie, Peta-Lynne, Bernie, Sue, Gay, Clare, Monica, Carmel, Sally and Matt), grandfather of 30 and great-grandfather of 26.

He was truly a 'jack-of-all-trades', having found work during his life as a welder, barman, and a driver of semi-trailers, petrol tankers, graders, interstate transports and school buses, as well as operating a petroleum depot for several years while Peta ran her well-known hair and beauty salons, Bimbadeen and Top T Toe Grooming.

But it was Jack's ready smile and his ability as an entertainer and storyteller - never afraid to add a little mayonnaise to a tale for best effect - that most endeared him to so many.

Jack told local historian Kevin Hill, for a story on his KB On Reflection blog, that his showman persona emerged when he was "only a little tacker".

"I was about 10… we were at a concert and one of the acts, an Irish tenor, didn't turn up. The old man piped up and said: 'That kid of mine'll fill in… I'll get him up'. I think I sang 'Yellow Rose of Texas', and it went over okay," he said.

Those who have sung, laughed and danced through his performances over the years will always be grateful for that initial push onto centre stage, and will hold the memories he created close to their hearts.

Jack Dillon will be farewelled at St Patrick's Catholic Church in Ford Street at 10am next Friday, July 26.