Neville Whiteley passed away last week aged 62

Tributes are pouring in for a Central Queensland business owner and former miner who tragically died aged 62.

In what was described as ‘a very sad day for Agnes Water’, businessman Neville ‘Nifty’ Whiteley tragically died of cancer last week aged 62.

Mr Whiteley was best remembered for his ownership of Nifty’s Discounts (now Agnes Essentials), a shop he owned and managed for a number of years.

Tributes flowed for the local larrikin, who was regularly involved in the township’s events and ethos after retiring from coal mining.

Originally from Mackay, he previously worked for Cockatoo Coal at Baralaba and Middlemount Coal.

Mr Whiteley’s son Jake said his dad was not one to have high emotional attachments to many things, but one thing he loved was his customers and the community.

Agnes Water businessman Neville ‘Nifty’ Whiteley has been remembered after he passed away last week aged 63.

“He loved and cherished all of his loyal customers and friends that knew him from Agnes Essentials, because they helped him build his empire and his dream,” he said.

Jake said there would be a small service held at the Agnes Water Tavern on Friday in memoriam of his father.

Agnes Water businesswoman Kristel Keys said she had known Nifty since the 1980s, when he built the mining town she grew up in, Glenden, west of Moranbah.

“He was one of the first residents there, we later reconnected in Agnes where he became a close family friend again and helped my husband and I when we were building our own business,” she said.

Ms Keys said she would miss having a drink with Nifty on Fridays as he tried to win meat trays for his dog.

“I’ll miss seeing him every morning when I pick up our bread,” she said.