CONTINUING on despite their sorrow simply wasn’t negotiable for the family of South Albury farmer Daryl Gray.
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“I would call it a duty,” his brother Byron said of Willowbank’s presence at Saturday’s farmers market on Lincoln Causeway.
“We’re doing this market today for Daryl, this is his market.”
Mr Gray, 69, died on Tuesday from burns suffered last Saturday in a grassfire at the property he ran with his brother.
The siblings were founding members of the Hume Murray Food Bowl and Willowbank had traded at the market since its inception nearly 15 years ago.
Mr Gray’s children, Aaron Gray-Block and Nadine Rofe, said their father had enjoyed his market involvement.
“It’s not just produce, but a social outing,” Mr Gray-Block said.
“And that’s what Dad loved as well, he looked forward every Saturday to come here and talk to people.”
“Dad would want us to be here,” Mrs Rofe added.
Relatives and friends wore black armbands while the stand featured wreaths of willow, a Willowbank tradition of remembrance when a family member dies.
A display of photographs offered snapshots from Mr Gray’s life, as a smiling toddler, an eager scout and the committed farmer alongside his father and brother.
“He had a varied life as well, from his early days as a runner and a footballer, working on the farm and even having a fashion store in town back in the ‘80s,” Mr Gray-Block said.
He thanked all the emergency services and staff at the Albury and Alfred hospitals who cared for Mr Gray after his accident.
“He died trying to protect his farm, his life’s work,” Mr Gray-Block said.
Market co-ordinator Clare Kendall said the morning was sad at times but the sharing of memories and feelings had been lovely.
“The market’s a community, a family, and everyone’s come out to support the Grays,” she said.
“You do miss that presence.
“He was a great energy to have at the market, very passionate about what he did and passionate about what he was bringing to customers. He knew everyone and everyone knew him.”
Mr Gray’s funeral will be held on Friday at St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Albury, beginning at 10.30am.
“We won’t do a market on that Saturday – that will be for us,” his brother said.
