The Dandenong community has lost long-time resident and businessman Bill Toogood.
He died at Dandenong Hospital on Tuesday 24 October, aged 89.
Sister-in-law Val told the Journal that he celebrated his final birthday in hospital before succumbing to heart failure.
“He was very agile right up until he went to hospital,” she said.
“He was a very keen gardener.
“He had macular degeneration but it didn’t stop him from doing handyman jobs at home.
“He had a wonderful vegie garden, and also pot plants.”
Val said that Bill worked in Dandenong for “a good 30 or more years” and was well-known in the community.
“He first worked in Cadles Arcade, which was near Dimmies,” she said.
That was in Henry Hicks’ butchery.
“Then he worked for a boss up in Thomas Street and then he bought the business himself and he was there for many years,” Val said.
“He was very friendly when the Journal was in (neighbouring) Scott Street.
“Their back door backed out onto a square there and so did his butcher shop.”
He renamed the shop Toogood Meats when he took it on.
Bill married Val’s sister, Gwen, back in 1956.
“He lived all his married life in Alexander Avenue in Dandenong,” Val said.
It was a dirt road with very few residents when they moved in – in a caravan. Bill built their home.
Last year, when celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, Bill told the Journal that marriage was the “best thing in my life”.
Family and friends celebrated Bill’s life at Bunurong Memorial Park on Wednesday 1 November.
Bill had Gwen had three sons, Gary, Michael and Phillip, and five grandchildren.
Val said the highlight of this year was the arrival of Bill’s great-grandson, Billy.
