Last month, one of the quiet achievers of the Bundaberg Parish, Kevin Naske, passed away. When I asked the family if we could honour him in this newsletter, there was one request: that we acknowledge the many other quiet achievers, like their father, who have spread so much goodness in their families, in their communities and in our Church.  As you read these eulogies from the Naske family, please remember your own ‘saints’, the people who have transformed our lives because they were, as one of Kev’s sons said, ‘Great at being Good’.

Kevin Roy Naske: Michael Laske's Eulogy

A Man Who Was Great At Being Good

We are at a stage in our post-Vatican history, where many of our parish elders, ordinary people who took the changes to heart and helped shape our parishes, helped establish ministries, committees, and schools, have come to the end of their earthly life. With gratitude we celebrate their contribution to the building up of the kingdom on earth.

Kevin Naske was one of those men for Holy Rosary Parish, Bundaberg. He came to Bundaberg in the late 60’s as a young father of five, pleased to be able to be in a town with a Catholic church, a Catholic school, and a support network for his disabled daughter, Teresa. He soon became very involved in all areas of his new parish’s life and the Naske home soon became known as a welcoming place for parish priests and friends through the years.

Kevin died on 8^th November.

“Kevin lies before us today in a casket that depicts his life and loves. The Tree of Life painted on the lid shows the key aspects of his life – his family, his work, his interests and his pastimes. It was lovingly painted 17 years ago in preparation for today by our mother - Myrl Naske or Mum to us.

Here is his story: Kevin was born into a railway family in Palmwoods in 1932, an only child. 

Following a high school education, part of which was at Nudgee College as a boarder, Kevin took up a career in the Queensland Railway, following his father’s and uncles’ footsteps. While not his first choice of a career, it became his life and ultimately his extended family. Dad served in 57 stations throughout Queensland in various roles including Night Officer, Assistant Station Master and Station Master. Most of the stations he served in are no longer in use or even present.

Kevin married Mum in Brisbane in 1956 and they proceeded to create a long life together - 64 years last month. They made the decision to settle in Bundaberg in 1968 and together they faced the many challenges of raising a large family but also celebrating the many family events, always around the oversized dining table with many family friends invited to join in. It gladdened their heart to be able to share their home with many.

Working for QR helped Dad feel at home with Vinnies – it was a system where you looked out for your mate.  He was a humble man who didn’t boast about helping people. He was proud of helping Sr Assysium RSM bring the St Vincent de Paul Home Nursing service to Bundaberg. Many a Saturday morning saw Dad and his Vinnies mates at the presbytery assisting someone who’d come knocking for help.

He was a man of faith and faithful to his family. Sunday Mass and prayer were important to him.  His church and parish became important to him. He was a member of an early finance committee, the school P&F President at St Joseph’s, a member of the men’s choir at Holy Rosary as well as waist deep in Vinnies doings.

His favourite role though was at “The Count” on a Sunday night. The Count was a group of dedicated and trustworthy people who could be relied upon to count the Parish’s weekly offerings. An invitation to be a member of this group was deemed a privilege and not given lightly.  It was an arduous ministry requiring liquid refreshments and a chat when finished. Many a parish problem was informally solved at the count.

Informal weekly meetings were also held at Jack Kinne’s house to discuss the troubles of the world and work out their Vinnies ventures for the week. Few problems were solved but they had a good time relieving Jack of his rum supply, thus helping the Bundaberg Rum distillery refine its blends and ultimately benefitting the community at large by their regular sampling. 

Dad reached the ripe old age of 88. He and Mum had six children, 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He knew their names and used technology to the end to stay in touch with them all.

He embraced digital technology, even mastering Siri, the iPad and an iPhone, and would sit for hours on his computer researching his family tree, recipes and general knowledge while his eyesight was still good.

Dad was a man of quiet wisdom, as each of us, his children, can attest to at various moments in our lives.  He was a gentle, reserved man who rarely raised his voice. He loved his peace and quiet, to read biographies, the newspaper or the National Geographic. He visited the library each week when his eyesight was still good. 

Dad’s longevity was not due to his extensive pursuit of an active sporting lifestyle - golf was as strenuous as it got.

Nor was it due to a balanced diet. Sunday roast lunches were a family tradition – the more people around the table, the better. In his retirement he learnt to master the Weber and roasts became his signature dish, especially roast pork with crackling. He became an avid cooking show watcher, and recipe hound.

His longevity was mostly due to his doctor’s skill with the knife and his ruthless pursuit of the skin cancers. For as long as we can remember, Dad was always getting a treatment for one spot or another somewhere - usually on his head.

These operations however big or small showed he was not willing to give up without a fight and again his simple teaching and motto – “you just do what you have to do” – kept him going, until he met his match with this last skin cancer.

Dad was a person who exemplified one who always endeavored to do the right thing by people and do what was needed at the time. At times tough decisions needed to be made but Dad always kept Mum and his family forefront in his mind when making them. His loyalty and thoughts of Mum were there right up to the end.

He was content with his lot in life, didn’t aspire to greatness – just happiness for his family and himself. He worried about his family, all of us, but especially Mum and Teresa, and making the right decision for us. Dad loved his family.

The greatest gift a parent can give their child is the gift of Love. Each of us received that gift, even though it may not have seemed so at times.

The greatest compliment a child can give their parent is to learn from them, and be proud to say “I am my father’s daughter or son.”

Proudly I say: I am my father’s son ………(with a dose of Mother.)

Rest in peace Dad.”

Excerpt from Peter Naske's Eulogy sent by video from New Zealand

I believe the world is full of good people – and Dad was one of them. There are numerous saintly deeds being done daily by countless citizens of the world. People who raise large families, who go without so that children can receive great education, who stress late at night about the well-being of their families, who quietly assist others, who love unconditionally, who beaver away in their community for their community and who never seek recognition. My Dad was one of them without a doubt. He was not unique in this regard; but he was unique to me. He didn’t seek to change the world, but he did change my world.

He was my Dad – a good man – a really good man. And I don’t mean EXCELLENT or PERFECT for he had faults, as we all do. And I don’t mean good like JUST good like AVERAGE or BORING. I mean GOOD like he thought of others. Good like he loved his wife and kids and always worked for them. Good like he always tried to do the right thing and live by Christian values. Good like, I don’t think he had enemies. He was honest, fun, smart, wise and good. He was GREAT at being GOOD. And that is how I feel about him. When I look back at my impression of the 88 year life we are presented with today, I am left with the impression of a man who was Great at being Good.

Peter Naske