Cootamundra is mourning the passing of Andrew ‘Jack’ Raleigh.
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He lost his battle on Thursday, March 16, following almost eight weeks in hospital.
Jack, 56, suffered a stroke in late January and has been looked after in Canberra since.
He will be remembered as a family man; a loving husband to Penny and dedicated dad to sons Pete, Patrick ‘Blue’ and Dan.
He was also a mate to all.
Jack was a shearer by trade and ran his own property; a bloke’s bloke always willing to dig in and get what was needed done.
Work and family came first but he also loved a good time.
Jack was a mirror image of so many men in the district and perhaps it is this fact which saw the community come together with such force following his stroke.
He was always proud to come from Cootamundra and no doubt would have been proud, if a little embarrassed at the fuss, to see his hometown community turn out for a recent fundraiser in his family’s honour at the Family Hotel.
The Fundraiser for Jack Raleigh garnered the attention and compassion of the community like few recent events.
More than 300 people attended and thousands of dollars was raised to help the family as Penny continued a bedside vigil for her husband and the boys travelled back and forth to Canberra to be with their father.
People have also hosted everything from cake stalls to lamb drives to support the Raleigh family.
More than the money raised however, the fundraising effort told the family the community cares and all were here for Jack.
Jack spent 10 years on the Cootamundra Junior Rugby League committee while his boys played and was also a keen squash player, combining these hobbies with a dedication to his work which should be admired.
Jack’s funeral will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, March 22 at the family farm, Gungegong, 59 Frampton Road, Cootamunrdra.
Those wishing to pay their respects are asked to please gather at the farm to remember and honour Jack.
