‘No one better’: Tributes flow for Coast businessman

A Coast businessman who has died suddenly has been remembered as a “loveable larrikin” who would help others before himself.

Ian Busch is survived by his loving wife Marilyn, children Sheldon, Nick and Simone and seven grandchildren. Photo: Contributed

A Coast businessman who has died suddenly has been remembered as a "loveable larrikin" who would help others before himself.

Tributes have flown in for beloved grandfather, great friend and passionate golfer Ian Busch who died earlier this week.

Mr Busch, known for his smile and charm, had been popular part of the framework at the Big Top Shopping Centre for more than a generation.

Close friend Brad Reddan, who also worked in the newsagency game, said Mr Busch died on Thursday night despite having been as "healthy as a horse".

He was 75.

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Maroochydore News owner Ian Busch and assistant Danica Warren at the Big Top Shopping Centre where he celebrated 27 years of business. Picture: Patrick Woods

 

Mr Busch who was known as Buschie or Buschmanis survived by wife Marilyn and children Sheldon, Nick and Simone and his seven grandchildren.

Mr Reddan said family had always come first for Mr Busch and described him as a great man who would go out of his way for people.

"He was a very honest man who would rather help others than himself. He'd do anything for anyone in the short amount of free time he had," he said.

"His wife has been by his side forever and vice versa.

"Family was number one for him, he was a family man through and through."

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Mr Busch owned the Maroochydore News newsagency inside the centre since 1986.

"I suppose in a way, you'd say he was an icon in the Maroochydore area, he has been there for donkey's years," Mr Reddan said.

"And always a loveable larrikin around town.

"He was very involved with customers and extraordinarily well-liked in the industry.

"Everyone knew him and everyone liked him. There was no one better than him."

 

Marilyn and Ian Busch. Picture: Nicola Brander

 

Mr Busch had been a member of Headland Golf Club for the past 30-odd years and a member of a group within the club known as Fraser Follies.

It was a collection of Coast businessmen who would meet religiously every Thursday afternoon.

Buschie never missed a game.

On annual golfing trips Mr Busch would adopt the pseudonym of Des'ree for his own re-enactment of the famous 1960s singer.

"He was known by us as Des'ree. On our golf tours to the Gold Coast, that's who he would dress up as," Mr Reddan said.

"He'd sing us lots of diddies and keep everyone in raptures.

"We will really miss him."

Another close mate John Jamieson said Mr Busch was a "hilarious" man who could talk to anyone.

He too looked back fondly on Mr Busch's Des'ree dress up.

Mr Jamieson said Mr Busch was a better drinker than he was a golfer.

"He loved a beer, XXXX Gold sales will go down dramatically," Mr Jamieson said.

"He was such a people person, he'd play for the social side of things."

Malcolm Galletly was also a member of the Fraser Follies and said his mate was a handy player.

"He was a good hacker, like me," Mr Galletly said.

"He has been a great mate to a lot of people, he knew everyone.

"It's tragic. It's hard, he was a great man."

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