Springvale Botanical Cemetery Thursday 14th July 2011 12.15p.m.
Wilson's computer industry workmates occupied half the chapel seating and some standing.
Some from interstate and country. A measure of our regard for a special friend and colleague.
Order of Service: Margaret (Wilson's first wife) began the service with caring memories of Wilson.
His son Andrew then presented the eulogy which is available here. He included a slideshow of family photos which revealed that side of Wilson that we were not so familiar with.
Next Wilson's daughter Shauna spoke of her special memories of him.
One of Wilson's grandchildren then read some notes about his grandfather that he had written himself.
G H then spoke on behalf of CDA-EX - reading some of the many tributes that came in for Wilson via email. He then read a poem dedicated to the life of Wilson writen by Mike Hamilton who worked directly with Wilson for many years after CDA. The poem catches Wilson's true Scottish spirit.
"Wilson The bell has tolled,
Fallen is the posterns latch
His time has passed
No more the winds of life to catch
The muted Scot doth make his final call
Grieve for me, but ne're too long
My time has passed
Your lives go on
Beat not the muffled drums
Play not the mournful lament
Be glad be cheerful
For my life was well spent.
Have a dram for me,
I trust I'm remembered well
To mark my passing,
On my humour please dwell.
Send me off in good spirits,
With good spirit I trust.
Please enjoy the occasion,
And don't make a fuss.
We will each share a tale,
Some of us two
We will honour your passing
As the Bell tolls for you …….. Vale Wilson" Mike Hamilton
We all then adjourned to the Sandown Hotel across the road - as Wilson would have expected - where we were able to meet most of his extended family.
CDA-ex lunch the following day: There was good turn up to our regular Melbourne Pizza lunch next day. We kept a place for Wilson at the table and drank toasts to him with some of the vino he had bequeathed to us for the occasion. Many hilarious stories were told! It is hard to believe that Wilson is no longer with us. He lives on in our collective memories.
Photo - CDA Christmas Lunch 2006
Some of the many email tributes that came in for Wilson:
Bob McPhail During my 10 years with CDA Wilson and I were good mates and on my trips back since I always made a point to look him up - the last time being the reunion in May 08.
He will be sadly missed
Best regards Bob
George Barrett I had some special time with Wilson last Thursday. He re-counted a number of the fun stories of course. Wilson was the man of many stories and the man who made life fun.
A great teacher and leader. Always remembered.
Tony Blackmore Not many will know of the circumstances that lead Wilson to join CDA. I left CDA in June 1970 to join Information Electronics in Canberra, mainly at the instigation of Bill Taylor, formerly CDA Canberra office sales.
IE's manufacturing manager was this happy fellow Wilson MacMillan. Wilson, Bill Taylor and I had some hilarious times over the next year, but when IE started phasing down a number of us contemplated new jobs.
Wilson showed me his CV and it was rather amazing. I can't claim total accuracy after 40 years, but I do remember he had been IBM's large systems manager for Europe, and manager of Larc in Europe. (Larc was IBM's attempt to build a supercomputer.)
At this time I suggested he contact CDA because with his qualifications they would be interested. He did and the rest is history. That would have been about 1973
Ron & Barbara Bird We will all miss Wilson's bright and positive outlook on life. Every time he entered a room there was a light hearted atmosphere that surrounded him. His contagious sense of humour will be sorely missed.Vale Wilson
Mike Spark Farewell to a breath of fresh Scottish air, and a wonderful drinking companion and friend!
Glynn and Sue Staggard Unfortunately won't be able to make the funeral but will remember him well and we will share a drink with friends to toast a fine Scotsman who knew what mattered.
Peter Dulmanis I feel privileged to been one of his many many many friends.
Bob & Jenny Jensen
We are Overseas at present and will not be able to be at the funeral however we will be there in spirit for Wilson - a valued friend and colleague.
Jim Walters. I was sorry to hear about Wilson passing away. He was a great and fun guy who entertained regularly at my Friday night parties at Murphy Street back in the mid-seventies. Vale Wilson. Gavin Sutherland Many good memories of Wilson I was able to speak to him last week Regards & best wishes (& to those at the lunch)
Bruce Smith I was lucky enough to speak to Wilson about 8 days before he passed on.
Some of my best years in CDA were when he was my boss. Great man , great wit, and loved his Glenfiddich.
I'll never forget the night at the College Lawn with Wilson walking around with a bottle of Glenfiddich under his arm, offering anyone who wanted one, a wee dram.
I also had a great day out at the Australian GP at Albert Park one year with Wilson. He was a very keen follower of the sport, back home in GB apparently.
RIP Wilson me old mate.
Frank Holland Tribute to Wilson
It really hurts to know he's gone!
Wilson you were a gem!
Really miss that smiling face!
And so from these tributes - we can understand how well Wilson was thought of and respected by his many workmates and friends.
An inspiration to us all on the real values of life.
If you have more tributes you would like to add please send them to us
