OBITUARY: Geoff Purser, Castle Hill
Hills stalwart Geoffrey “Geoff ” Purser was 87 when he passed away after a lifetime of helping his community.
He came from one the pioneer families in the Hills, his great, great grandfather Edward Purser settled in Castle Hill in the 1830s and was the first teacher in Castle Hill. The family had an orange orchard on land on Old Castle Hill Rd.
Geoffrey Edward Purser was born on August 16, 1930, the eldest of three boys born to Beryl and Cecil Purser.
He attended Castle Hill Public School and then high school in Parramatta.
He undertook an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner with Baldwin’s Engineering Company on Showground Rd, Castle Hill and joined the Naval reserve.
He met his wife, Shirley on the dancefloor at Auburn Town Hall in 1950.
They married on August 29 in 1953 and settled in Pearce St Baulkham Hills where Geoff built the family home himself.
The couple then moved to Cecil Ave and later Hume Ave with their daughters Cheryl, Lynne and Jan. The houses were surrounded by the most beautiful gardens tended by Geoff who loved gardening.
He helped Shirley establish Baulkham Hills pre-school which he and other fathers erected in 1961 and was involved in many fundraisers He was a volunteer at Castle Hill Primary School which his grandfather James Purser helped establish and was a member of Castle Hill High PandC for many years.
He was voluntary coach for the Gazelles Netball Club when it was formed. His volunteer roles in the community also included entertainment officer with Jazz in the Pines at Dural, a member of the Castle Hill Heritage Park management committee and a volunteer at Castle Hill Day Club.
He helped run the retirees club at Wesley Uniting Church and was on the management committee of the Kellyville Castle Hill Probus Club.
His tireless work was recognised with a Rotary Community Service Award and a Hills Shire Council Award.
He had a brown belt in karate and was a talented artist.
He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Shirley, their five grandchildren, Jared, Kiel, Daniel, Lanai and Mitchell, and two great granddaughter Chloe and Georgia.
