Wilson's founder dies
Eric Wilson, the founder of Wilson's Estate Agency in Woy Woy, has died - on Wednesday, May 30, at 96 years of age.
Mr Wilson opened Wilson's Estate Agency in the early 1950s and retired from real estate in 1985.
Before his venture into real estate, he helped in the family's store in Woy Woy and then worked as a deck hand.
He later ran his father's ferries on the waters around Woy Woy.
"Eric always had funny stories about the colourful characters he carried on his ferry in the early days, from helping the undertaker with coffins to ferrying associates of the notorious Razor Gang to their hideout in Phegans Bay," according to Wilson's Estate Agency administrator Ms Susan Quilkey.
"It was definitely an interesting job."
When roads where being introduced to the Peninsula and the need for the ferry services diminished, Mr Wilson sold his ferries and opened a real estate agency.
He became a successful real estate agent, investor and land developer in the Woy Woy area.
"Wilson's Estate Agency grew in line with the growth of Woy Woy and its reputation was forged over the decades by Mr Wilson's honest and trustworthy work, commitment to customer service and satisfaction starting from those early days and continuing to the present day," said Ms Quilkey.
"Mr Wilson was proud to see how it has prospered since his retirement in 1985.
"Even after moving to Sydney, Mr Wilson took great pleasure in visiting Woy Woy and the agency's staff, regaling staff with stories of local identities and real estate transactions from the good old days."
The staff always looked forward to him walking through the front door, she said.
"He loved to walk around the streets remembering how things used to be, and seeing the changes that the years had brought to Woy Woy.
" Mr Wilson touched many people's lives on the Woy Woy Peninsula through his service on the ferries and in the local housing market.
" He will be greatly missed by his family and friends." Ms Quilkey said.
Email, 8 Jun 2012
Susan Quilkey, Wilson's Estate Agency