ADMIRERS said the thing about Geelong doyen Bert Fagg was that nothing was ever about himself.
For the archetypal quiet achiever it was always about everybody else.
It was about the family he steadfastly nurtured, about the customers he so genuinely cared for across so many decades at the famous family hardware business, about the countless causes he supported without fanfare and about the community he enriched beyond measure.
That was his way, anchored on intrinsic values, and this week his city marvelled at his prodigious contribution while quietly mourning his loss.
Mr Fagg, husband of Ruth for 70 years, and father of Peter, Rosalind, Barry, Keith and Marion, died at St John of God Hospital on Thursday morning.
He was 98.
Son Keith said his passing was sad but not tragic.
“The family is certainly so thankful to have had just a wonderful father who had a remarkable long life and with all his faculties all the way to the end,” Keith said.
“He has established for us, for our family firstly great values and a great family life and in a broader sense because of his philanthropy and community mindedness he has made unsung contributions to the Geelong community over many years.
“None of us, not even his family, know how generous he’s actually been but we have our suspicions.”
Fagg’s Hardware ranks among Australia’s oldest businesses at 160 years of continuous operation.
Bert Fagg worked as part of its heartbeat for 67 years before his retirement at 82 and was chairman of its board from 1989 until his death.
He managed its Fyans St joinery department from 1946 until 1998 and guided countless apprentices during those years.
With an engineer’s mind he was ahead of his time in designing use of sustainable power at the plant and became Geelong’s go-to man for the crafting of staircases.
Leaders of another of Geelong’s business institutions, Lyons Brothers Construction, paid tribute to his maintaining of a family tradition for honesty and fair dealing.
“Bert was an inspiration to us and all those in the building industry,” Kevin Lyons said.
“His friendship and advice was freely given to the hundreds of building associates who had contact with him.
“His life was an example of how to live and he will be sadly missed but remembered with great respect and gratitude.”
Geelong Chamber of Commerce president Kylie Warne said members were saddened to have lost one of their own.
“Bert had a passion for Geelong and helped make the Faggs business one of Australia’s oldest family businesses, an achievement which requires resilience, determination and innovation,” Ms Warne said.
“Just three months ago we celebrated Fagg’s 100-year membership of the Chamber. Bert is no longer with us but his legacy will remain for many years to come.”
Mr Fagg was a passionate member of the Rotary Club of Belmont for 43 years and a Paul Harris fellow with four additional service sapphires.
President Andrew Jones said the only criticism Mr Fagg ever have of the club was that wasn’t giving enough.
“We talk in the Rotary movement about service above self, Bert was a real example of that in every way,” Mr Jones said.
“He just saw every cause he would come across as one needing support.
“He was very much a gentleman, he was very passionate, a legend of the club in terms of the service he has given, and extremely generous.”
Bert Fagg’s funeral will be Geelong’s Wesley Church at 1.30pm on Thursday.
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