A FORMER Fassifern resident, accomplished district sportsman and successful businessman, John (Jack) Wayne Steinhardt, passed away on Wednesday, March 9.
Jack was born at Boonah Hospital on September 27, 1945.

He was the eldest son of Wilfred and Iris (nee Holdorf) and everyone called him Jack.

He and his brother Lester spent their early years on a farm near Moogerah, when their parents share farmed Mort Chandler’s property.

Jack began his schooling there and continued it when his parents moved to a farm on Kulgun Road that was first owned by David Evans and later by Louie Franz. He and his brother Lester would walk to Engelsburg School over the hills and through the paddocks from their home at Kulgun.

In 1953, the family moved into a residence in George Street, Kalbar, and Jack and Lester attended Engelsburg School when it stood in what is today the Engelsburg Memorial Park.

On leaving school, Jack took up an apprenticeship with Wilkie and Nielsen’s Kalbar Plumbing Service which was located next door to his parents’ home.

Jack loved sport and was good at everything he played, first as a junior - cricket, tennis and football, then later for the Boonah Rugby League Club, until he moved to Hervey Bay in 1976.

He was also a keen golfer, card player and later enjoyed lawn bowls.

Jack was also an active member of the once very active, Boonah Apex Club.

Both Lester and Jack had both left school and were working when their brother, Perry was born.

Jack was 18 when he met Judy Pampling. He was 24 and a qualified plumber, she was a nurse, when they married on November 1, 1969.

To help build a nest egg for his family, Jack, worked after hours at the Royal Hotel, Kalbar, for publicans Vic and Dot Graham.

When they became parents of Lee and Suzanne, weekend became all about family time.

Lee started school in Kalbar before the family moved to Hervey Bay, where they purchased a home delivery milk run.

When home delivery ceased, Jack and former Boonah resident Ron Walker purchased a smash repair business and turned it into a very successful venture.

Jack and Judy took early retirement, bought a caravan and proceeded to tour Australia. They were frequent visitors to Kalbar to spend time with family and friends.

Overseas holidays and cruises also became part of their retirement lifestyle.

The smash repair business is still owned and run by their son, Lee and his wife, Jackie.

In recent years, Jack’s health deteriorated and he passed away peacefully at home with family present.

He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and brothers.

Family and friends gathered for a celebration of his life on Friday, February 18 in Hervey Bay. Among the mourners were people who had originally come from the

Fassifern district and have made their homes in Hervey Bay. Also, in attendance were some of Jack’s former Boonah Rabbitohs team mates.