FAREWELL PETE KELLY: 25 FEBRUARY 2017

Molong loses one of its favourite characters

Lunchtime in Molong’s bottom pub will never be the same for me with the death last night of Pete Kelly, one of the town’s best-loved characters.

Pete, aged just 68, apparently died of a heart attack in his van at the Molong Caravan Park, where he was a long-term resident.

He’d lost an arm and a leg in separate motor bike accidents but always made light of these losses and was quite rightly described by the Molong Express’s Paul Mullins as the most cheerful person in Molong.

Pete seemed to know just about everyone who walked into the Freemasons Hotel — and I’m sure also at the Telegraph, where he was also a fairly regular visitor.

At the Freemasons he used his position at the bar and near the main entrance to assist anyone who needed help with getting through the doors — people with prams, walkers or wheelchairs. They all received a greeting and assistance.

He had an entertaining soft spot for kids, and always made sure that he passed on a message about having survived his accidents because he’d always worn a helmet.

I only knew Pete for the couple of years I’ve so far lived in Molong, but he immediately made me welcome and we struck up what, for me, was a valuable friendship. I can only hope that it was for him as well.

Travel gently, Pete. You were one of the really good ones and I’ll really miss you.