Griffith is preparing to commemorate the life of an icon this week after the passing of Herbert FitzRoy ‘Roy’ Stacy (AFSM) on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Stacy passed away peacefully at home in Griffith with family by his side at age 97.
A celebratory service will be held 1pm on Friday September 21 at the Uniting Church on Beale Street in Griffith, with an RSL service will held at the Griffith Lawn Cemetery afterwards.
Daughter Ros Prangnell said the family would welcome anyone and everyone who wished to come along and pay their respects.
“His contacts spread far and wide, and we would be open to any of the community who would like to come and pay their respects and remember his contributions,” Mrs Pragngell said.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Griffith Legacy branch.
“With the donations to the RSL, we specifically want that to stay local as this branch was a huge part of his life,” Mrs Pragngell said.
“We are grateful he had such a wonderful life he had in Griffith as well as the quality of life, and he really loved this community.
“Griffith is only 101 years old and he was 97, so he’s grown up alongside the town. He was very Griffith-centric.”
As the oldest child of 11, Ros said he took on his responsibly and duty to do what he did, and made the town the centre of his world.
RELATED:
Model citizen and lifetime community member, Mr Stacy was granted Griffith's highest honour as Freeman of the City February 21, 2015.
After his service as a soldier with the Royal Australian Air Force during WWII, Mr Stacy dedicated his life to helping others.
He was heavily involved in several community organisations, including the Griffith branch of the Returned Soldiers League and the Rural Fire Service.
Some of his achievements include a gold clasp for 70 years service to the NSW Rural Fire Service, a lifetime volunteer award from Griffith City Council and a Griffith Citizen of the Year award.
Roy was described as a local legend at an RFS ceremony in 2017.
He began his firefighting career in 1944 and was a member and treasurer of the Kooba Brigade, and was active on the front line four years ago before suffering from a heart-attack.
Mr Stacy was also rewarded for his dedication to the community with NSW Farmers’ Association’s prestigious Medal of Honour in 2013.
