Written by: Catherine (Daughter)
Dad’s life began in Safi Malta. He was born on 3/07/1938 to his parents Katherina and Paul Busuttil who had five children in total and dad being the eldest.
Dad loved Malta very much and had many stories to tell over the years but he chose to migrate to Australia in 1954 at the age of 16 and lived with his Uncle Joe in North Melbourne. He found a job in a biscuit factory called Guest. Dad has always been a hard worker and a good provider. At the Age of 18 with a love for his new country dad completed national service. After two years he got a job with Dunlope tyres and continued with the army reserves on the weekend.
It was at the age of 22 dad met mum Mary and after a year they became husband and wife. They lived in West Melbourne where they had their first child Me in 1964. In April 1965 they built their first and current home in Sunshine North. There he got a job with ICI and worked shift work for the next 34 years.
I must have been a great child because the family grew and three more were added. Next was John who never wanted dad out of his sight. He would bang his head on the wall when dad went to work and sulk under the kitchen table. Susanne was next she was the tomboy who could twist dad around her little finger. Then last to arrive was the baby of the family Paul. What can I say the baby is always special right until the end dad really enjoyed teasing and joking with him.
Dads Four Passions:
Dad loved his garden, he would come home from work, gives all a hug, grabs a beer in one hand and a shovel in the next. That’s how he would unwind. So proud of his garden which had everything from cauliflower, tomatoes, figs, lemons he would share it with family and friends. I am sure many of you here would have been given something from dads garden. Dad was very generous in that way.
Fishing for as long as I can remember has been something dad loved to do. We would go fishing at Queenscliffe and often sleep on the pier. We would fish for squid, snapper, garfish anything that was willing to jump on our hook. As we grew up especially between dad and the boys it became a competition to see who caught the largest or the most. Paul and John still share that passion.
Dad’s third passion was Football. He loved the North Melbourne Football club. They say Collingwood supporter’s are one eyed, boy dad was so one eyed that if they lost on the weekend we would know not to visit until perhaps Tuesday. Dad also loved to support the boys as they played football at Crossroads.
His last passion was the most important to him. He devoted so much love and support in good and bad times . It was us his family. Dad loved my mother Mary who has been so caring and supportive to dad his whole life. Even though dad could be stubborn, difficult and hard to live with, his undying love for mum was obvious because dad would always express it.
As for us his four children, His daughter in law Leanne, son in law David and Garry he has always had one hand on his heart and the other in his pocket.
Dad always ensured we were okay, always encouraging us to do well at work always telling us how much we meant to him.
Dad loved so much he grew impatient waiting for his grand children. Dad would say I am praying to god to send me my grand children I want to be a nunno.
God answered dad’s prayers and in 2002 two grand children arrived 3 months and 1500 miles apart. Brooke was born in Melbourne followed by Jorja in the August in qld. Dad always smiled actually it was hard to find a photo that he wasn’t smiling but now he has a glow he was a proud nunno. His blessings didn’t stop there Chloe arrived in December two years later and now dad had three princesses.
Dad’s prayers to god didn’t stop he longed for Susanne to be blessed with a child and the lord in his grace sent us Ben Albert in May 2008. No prouder a Nunno could you find now.
And that was dad’s life in short. As I look around I am sure many of you can share your own stories of dad.
Now dad it’s time for me to say my good bye. Dad don’t worry the four of us are going to look after mum and love her for us and for you. Thank you for helping me become the person I am today. For teaching me, that it is Okay to express your love. And every night when I go to sleep dad I will wait for your visits in my dreams.
I Love YOU.
