Vale Tom Straughair

I mourn the sudden death of my friend and fellow church member Tom Straughair.  He went into hospital on the Saturday, and died at 12.15am on the Tuesday - 2 May 2006.  Tom was diagnosed with pneumonia and aggressive leukemia.

Tom was the instigator and a driving force behind the setting up of this web site.  Tom wrote most of the prayers and would write or source the 'Thought for the Month' for the Just a Moment page.

It was Tom's idea that there should be a 'Touch of Humour' to this site - Hot News & Humour page.  He felt that Christians should be seen as having a sense of humour, not just all serious and sombre.

Tom believed that Warragul Uniting Church should have a web site.  He approached me with his ideas.  During 2002, Tom and I (with some input from others), worked together on setting up this site.  The counter on the Home Page shows that we have been on the internet since 3 September 2002.  During the intervening years, we have worked on improving and adding to the site - encouraged also and given ideas by comments both verbally and by email.

We wanted a friendly, easily navigated site that would encourage people to visit more than once.  Tom approached John Bodycomb, who then provided him with sermons/talks to add to our Food For Thought page.

Prior to the formation of the Uniting Church, Tom and I were both members (in different congregations) of the Congregational church.  Elements of our shared faith history were also a source of strength in the bond of friendship between Tom and myself.  I shall miss his thoughtful, kindly, encouraging support.

Web-master: Lindsay

An email to the Web-master:

I have just received this from John Bodycomb and thought you may be interested.  I think it would be good if there was an obituary on the Church Website as Tom was one of the instigators of it and his effort with the prayers will be hard to replace.

Regards,

Euan

  From John Bodycomb:

  Oh, Euan, what can I say?  I am deeply grieved to learn of this -- although I cannot claim to be surprised.  I have picked up hints 'between the lines' so to speak, that all was not well.  Tom was the kind of man I have treasured in congregations here and overseas -- who I could wish were 'cloned' over and over.  He was a genuine exemplar of what I find best in Congregationalism.

 When I came into faith at nineteen and saw my minister to find what was required for admission to church membership, I asked, "Are there some creeds, catechisms and whatnot that I should bone up on?"  He looked devastated.  When he had recovered his composure, he said, "Oh, John, we're not that kind of church."  After a pause he said, "All we ask is that you accept Jesus as Lord and seek to live a life in conformity therewith."

 That, of course, is rather more daunting than mugging up on pat answers to a slate of questions.  And that is what made Congregationalism not easy -- but demanding, if any of us were to try to take it seriously.  My impression was that Tom was very close to that idea of what it was all about, and I will treasure the memory of him.  

 I would appreciate it if you could convey to those who miss him my sympathy with them.

 Blessings on you.

 JOHN

At the invitation of Tom Straughair, John Bodycomb has earlier provided this web site with numerous sermons/talks, which can be found in the Food for Thought Archive

The FUNERAL SERVICE for Tom Straughair was held at St Andrew's Uniting Church, Warragul at 11.00am, Thursday 11 May 2006.

Tom's life was celebrated, with remembrances by family and friends.  His devotion as a husband, father and grandfather, his 'quirky' sense of humour; his commitment and passion towards the many projects he undertook including car restoration, building model railways and commencing the local community radio station; his steadfast Christian faith and his caring for and reaching out, to his fellow travelers along the road of life.