A large crowd of family and friends gathered at Nowra Crematorium on Wednesday, 2 July 2003, to say farewell to Nev Newbold, National Treasurer of the FAAAA and President of the NSW Division.
In the eulogy delivered by Nev’s brother Greg, many of those present learnt for the first time what a diverse and interesting life Nev had lived. He and Greg joined the RAN in 1955 following their brothers Tom and Harry into the Fleet Air Arm.
When the youngest brother Arthur (Butch) and their sister Dorothy joined up, the family had six serving members in the RAN, a record unlikely to be broken.
When he left the Navy in 1977, after achieving the rate of CPO MET, Nev settled with his wife Beryl and their children in Berry. He ran the local taxi cab and school bus before branching out as the local fish monger.
Ever restless, Nev then turned his hand to engraving, and his work in this field is well known to members of the FAAAA. He took an active part and held positions in Rotary, the RSL, Nowra Pistol Club and Berry Rugby Club as well as a number of other local activities.
Association members remember Nev as a tireless worker for the Association and even in the final months, when his health was not good, he continued to carry his responsibilities with his usual dedication and attention to detail.
The FAAAA extends to Beryl, Rodney and Robynne our deepest sympathy, and assure them that Nev will be remembered by his shipmates for many years to come.
