Werribee Football Club president John Nicol OAM was remembered as a loving family man that was passionate about his community in a moving funeral service held this morning.
Hundreds of people showed up to St Peters Church in Hoppers Crossing to pay their respects, including family, friends, Werribee Football Club staff and players, councillors and other community members.
Mr Nicol died in the early hours of August 26 following a short battle with cancer. He was 76.
It was standing room only in the church itself, and many more standing in the entrance hall outside; among them, former Premier Ted Baillieu.
Grandchildren Cameron, Emily, Johanna, Laura, Jarron, Ali and Mahlia placed momentos significant to Mr Nicol’s life beside his coffin, including a photo of his parents, a book of hometown Dunkeld, a Werribee Football cap, the Order of Australia, the Paul Harris Fellowship, his mobile phone and a note pad and pen.
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The eulogy was done in three parts by sons Brett and Jeff, and family friend Peter Hudson.
Eldest son Brett said his dad was a man that didn’t do anything by halves and would move heaven and earth to attend family events, right down to school sporting days and dance recitals.
Jeff remembered his dad as a “do-er” that was happiest when he was contributing to his local community.
“Whatever accolades he received… he remained grounded, active and caring.
“Dad, we’ll look after our mum like gold, and we’ll always remember what it means to be a Nicol.”
The family played a slideshow of images thanking the different community groups he had been involved in.
Werribee Football Club players and staff held a guard of honour outside the church following the funeral, and, in a final tribute, mourners applauded as the hearse drove away.
A wake was held at the Werribee Football Club afterwards.
Mr Nicol was a life member of Werribee Football Club and was the club’s longest continuous-serving president, holding down the top job for the past decade.
The Werribee resident previously worked for 20 years as a city engineer for the then City of Werribee and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1989 for services to local government, engineering and the community.
He was a member or chairman of many community organisations, including the Mercy Health community advisory committee, Corio Apex Club, Committee for Wyndham, Municipal Engineering Foundation, Werribee Community District Charitable Foundation, Westbourne Grammar school council, Werribee Rotary and Werribee Fire Brigade.
Mr Nicol is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pauline, children Brett, David, Jeff and Lisa, and seven grandchildren.
