Brian Neville: a man who inspired so many
?' in edition 319 of Peninsula News.
Brian and I moved to Woy Woy in 1992 after buying a paint and retail business in Woy Woy which traded as Just Paints.
We worked very hard and had a thriving business but, due to Brian's health, decided to sell the paint business to the Campbells after some discussion in 1995.
Brian joined the Campbell Family Hardware store, set up their paint department and became their paint manager and consultant.
He left quiet a legacy within the business.
In 1999 Brian had an operation for a triple A (abdominal aorta aneurysm) which saw him spend six months in Brisbane Waters Private Hospital from complications of the operation.
He lost a leg and half a foot which resulted in another three months in hospital.
Brian had to resign from Campbells in 2000 due to limited mobility and the pain which he was seldom free of.
Brian was not one to give up the battle for survival so he joined the Central Coast Amputees Association.
He made wooden wheel barrows which he sold and gave the proceeds to help other amputees. He also attended their meetings to offer his support where ever he could.
In 2008 Brian unfortunately had a fall and ended up in Gosford Hospital with a fractured hip socket.
After two weeks he was transferred to the Woy Woy rehabilitation ward at Woy Woy Hospital in early September.
While a patient there he learnt of the intended closure of this much needed facility.
On September 18, he was sent home.
He was one of their last patients.
Brian, like a lot of other people, was very upset about the closure of the Woy Woy rehabilitation ward on the Peninsula so he joined the fight for its return and became very passionate in his part in the fight with the Woy Woy Hospital Alliance.
He offered his support and met with local politicians and the Minister for Health plus delivered pamphlets and spoke with locals on his motorised scooter whenever he could.
He was a man who suffered an enormous amount of unbearable pain after losing both legs.
Brian was a caring husband and father; a man who inspired so many with his courage and diversity in life and his willingness to always help others whenever he could until his death on the January 7, 2012.
Letter, 14 June 2013
Irene Neville, Woy Woy