18/06/2026
Vale Charlie Mead.
22/12/1938 – 16/6/2026
A bit of a sad post.
One of my customers, Charlie Mead of Benalla, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, aged 87.
I met Charlie quite a few years ago when he rang from Benalla looking for someone to engrave some glasses to give as a gift to someone. He was looking for someone to assist him as he’d had a bit of a bad experience with someone in another town. I gave him the pricing, he was thrilled and off we went.
Little did I know then that Charlie would be a long and loyal customer who became a friend.
He was often calling to ask me to engrave something for someone he wanted to give a gift to, from family members, friends, local business owners, even the local MP. It seemed he knew many, many people and held them in high regard. I’m sure the feelings were reciprocated.
Over time, such was the relationship, I found myself going to the local AFL gift shop and buying items to engrave for him for that special person. During COVID when my wife Tanya was working in Benalla, she delivered some things to him at his home, much to his great pleasure. He wouldn’t let her out of the house without giving her a little gift and so a couple of tea cups we drink from are a reminder of his generosity. After these visits he always asked after her and our children, wishing them love always – I might have been pushed into second or third place!!
Often when he’d want to do things, he’d ask my opinion so we’d come to a decision together. Sometimes we did not go ahead with the idea as I/we felt it might be a bit too much of a burden on him. I do reckon he would have been prepared to spend his last dollar on others.
Charlie would visit the shop via the train from Benalla and he frequented a number of businesses in town in his routine. He knew many people and had family around the place he’d see if he could, he loved his routine.
Whenever he was here he’d wait quietly as others came and went, as he put them first, plus it allowed us a chance to chat – in particular about his beloved Richmond Tigers. He did say my Eagles were his second favourite team but I’ve a sneaky thought he might have told a few people a similar thing!
Charlie enjoyed the company and conversations with others and was deservedly proud of his life on the railways. He was a gentle soul, kind of heart, generous beyond question and a bit of a reflection on a quieter time.
Whenever you pass an older person like Charlie on the street, they’ll most often look you in the eye. Make sure you catch that look and smile or nod your head or even say hello. It will mean more to them than you’d think. They’d had a long life and the acknowledgement of their presence through these simple gestures of kindness is important.
I’ll miss you Charlie, rest in peace my old friend, rest in peace.
Ash.
