Tributes for Parramatta man Bruce Astill, who died aged 59

A tradie who loved the Eels so much he moved from the country and built a house at Parramatta has been remembered for his contributions to the community and dedication to his family.

Bruce Astill loved the Eels. Picture: Facebook

The community has remembered Parramatta man and proud indigenous Australian Bruce Astill, who died from cancer on April 1.

Mr Astill, who was on Parramatta Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory committee and a long time volunteer, died aged 59.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis paid tribute to him at Monday’s council meeting when he was also remembered as a loyal Eels supporter.

Before a minute’s silence was held, councillor Phil Bradley said Mr Astill’s funeral at Rookwood Cemetery on April 21 was well attended.

“I was certainly shocked to hear of Bruce’s death,’’ he said.

Bruce Astill with his wife Donna. Picture: Facebook

“Bruce had a fantastic life. I was surprised to hear some of the stories of his great athleticism, the number of awards he won and the strong connection he had to the Parramatta Eels.

“That was his beloved club and it led him to actually move to the Parramatta area from the country.

“He raised three kids, who he cherished and loved – Kierah, Dean and Tyson – and it was obvious at the service with the respect in which he was held and the love that was shared between them at that service.’’

The skilled mechanic also built his own house east of Parramatta’s CBD with his wife Donna who was referred to as his “brickie’s labourer”.

“It’s very sad someone as young as he did died prematurely,’’ Cr Bradley said.

His funeral opened with famous Yothu Yindi song Djapana and a welcome to country by Layne Brown before poems by Haylie Sloan and Sheree Astill were read before family and friends.

“Bruce was a man of very few words, he worked hard his entire life, he loved to crack a Toohey’s, he enjoyed it all with his amazing wife,’’ Ms Sloan said.

“You loved to play cricket, in your younger years, hitting six was your goal, there was nothing that you feared.’’

A photo tribute played to the tunes of more anthems – Jimmy Barnes’ Working Class Man and I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston – before Simply the Best aired as the exit song.

Doves and balloons were also released as the service concluded.

Mr Astill had 10 siblings, three whom are deceased.

He is survived by his children and grandchildren Noah, Jackson and Amelia.

Originally published as Tributes for Parramatta man Bruce Astill, who died aged 59