Community calls for memorial to Kepnock ‘waving man’ Gary Ostrofski

The community has called for a permanent seat and plaque in memory of the ‘waving man’ of Kepnock. Would you like to see a memorial created? Vote in our poll:

Amid the outpouring of tributes for the “waving man” of Kepnock, Gary Ostrofski, the proposal has been made to create a memorial to Mr Ostrofski in front of the TriCare Aged Care home.

It was from his spot outside the home that Mr Ostrofski touched many lives with a simple a smile and a wave.

Michelle De Silva said “we need to raise money to put a permanent seat with a plaque out the front. Just a nice idea I think to remember such a nice man”.

Would you like to see a permanent memorial such as a plaque or a seat to Mr Ostrofski, to help keep his legacy of joy alive for generations to come?

For many people travelling along Kepnock’s Fe Walker St, getting a wave from the smiling man in the white floppy hat outside the TriCare Aged Care home was a bright spot in their day.

For the better part of a decade Gary Ostrofski waved at passers-by, sometimes receiving a honk or a wave in return.

Sadly, Mr Ostrofski died on August 6, at the age of 81.

He was farewelled by a service at the Apostolic Church of Queensland on Monday, August 14.

Speaking to NewsMail in 2021, Mr Ostrofski said his daily vigil was motivated simply by love for his community.

Gary Ostrofski brought joy to the lives of many for the best part of a decade from his spot outside the TriCare Aged Care home.

“Why I’m waving is because I love people and they love me,” he said.

Tributes have flowed for Mr Ostrofski from TriCare staff and those who would look forward to seeing him as they went about their day.

Staff at TriCare spoke of a “wonderful man” who was at times moved to tears from the daily interactions with “his people”.

“He was a wonderful man and will be dearly missed by us and the community,” Clinical Manager at Bundaberg Aged Care Residence Jade Miller said.

“He would literally skip a meal sometimes to head outside and wave to ‘his people’.

“If he was having a bad day, he would head outside to wave, and come back happy and in a much better mood.

“One time a passer-by gave him flowers, and Gary came back inside with tears in his eyes from appreciation.

“Gary was always up for a chat with all of us here at the residence, and we will miss him dearly.”

Staff at TriCare spoke of a “wonderful man” who was at times moved to tears from the daily interactions with “his people”.

Tributes posted on the guest book for Mr Ostrofski ‘s funeral service run by Des Allen & Co Funerals spoke of the joy he brought to the lives of many who had never met him in person.

“I, like many others in my neighbourhood, knew Gary only by his presence at the front of TriCare Nursing Home,” said Matt Gees.

“Our family of four kids and two adults would look out for him regularly and it gave me great joy to see him there waving.

“My kids always waved back to Gary and although we never knew if he saw us or not, that simple gesture would always be something we remember.”

Carissa said her “two children used to get so excited when they knew you were sitting out in your chair and would always give you a big wave and the excitement they had when you waved back was priceless”.

“Your smile would light up anyone’s day,” she said.

“It takes a special person to touch the lives of so many people even without meeting them and that’s just what you did.”

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Alana Nethery said Mr Ostrofski’s “light shone bright within the city of Bundaberg”.

“I remember driving past on the bus or in my parents’ car when I was younger and seeing you wave made me beam a smile no matter what morning I had or the day I had yesterday,” she said.

“It is unfortunate to hear of your passing because you were such an icon to many locals and made hundreds of people’s days better because of your warm and friendly demeanour.”

NewsMail offers our sincere condolences to Mr Ostrofski’s loved ones.