Eric Terence Dean Boyd fondly remembered by Bundaberg community

Eric Boyd was the first man to have called Coral Cove home once it had been officially named a suburb. After passing away at the age of 88, the community has paid tribute to a wonderful man. Read the story.

Eric Terence Dean Boyd loved his community so much, he’d walk the shores of Coral Cove picking up rubbish just to make a beautiful place a little more tidy.

Those who knew Mr Boyd have paid tribute to the 88-year-old, who sadly passed away this month.

One of the people who knew him best was former NewsMail print site worker Ian Ward, who fondly remembers their heartwarming bond.

“I worked for 35 years at the Bundaberg NewsMail and was Eric’s boss, but we were great workmates,” Mr Ward said.

“Eric was a godsend in making the NewsMail a home away from home... always humble but truly interactive, providing us all with many funny times.

“He was so easy to scare, whether it be dropping type galleys behind him etc, you could easily get Eric to launch a couple of inches off his chair... then he would laugh along with us.”

Mr Ward recalls one particular prank played in the workplace.

“One time I noticed a hole in the wall behind his computer, so l decided to borrow a cigarette off someone and blew smoke through the wall,” he said.

Eric Boyd was the first man to live at Coral Cove after it was established as a suburb.

“Then I heard Eric jump up with: ‘Hey! My computer is on fire’

“Always funny shared times with us all and Eric had the nickname ‘Whoop! Whoop!’ so we would sing it out to him uptown then hide... that had him going. So many funny incidents almost daily.”

Mr Ward said he stayed good friends with Mr Boyd.

‘It was great visiting Eric of recent as he was genuinely so appreciative of you taking the time for him and Eric was very happy he had a great innings in life,” he said.

“God bless you Eric, you were a special memorable gift to us all... wonderful friend and workmate.”

Anna Hoar was Mr Boyd’s neighbour for 15 years and said she couldn’t have lived near a better person.

“He was just a wonderful man,” she said.

“Everyone would meet on his lawn for a chat and a few drinkies.

“He was amazing to all the kids and was pretty much the king of our street and is not the same without him and is dearly missed.”

Ms Hoar said Mr Boyd never stopped giving back to the community.

“Eric played a huge part in the Neighbourhood Watch,” she said.

“He would walk our shorelines picking up any rubbish.”

Ms Hoar said Mr Boyd “was loved by everyone that crossed his path”.

“His three favourite things were family, friends and fishing,” she said.

Mr Boyd passed away peacefully at Meilene Aged Care on February 11, 2022 at the age of 88.