Tributes for Platypus Print Packaging Businessman Thomas Claude Lusch following sudden death

A Brisbane business legend is leaving behind a lasting family legacy, as he is remembered by close friends and family for his generosity, hard work and all-Australian charm.

Tom Lusch with his sons Tim and Aaron. Picture: Courtesy of the Lusch family

A successful local businessman has been remembered for his grace and generosity in the days following his sudden death.

Thomas Claude Lusch built multi-award winning family business Platypus Print Packaging from the ground up over 40 years ago.

Now his loved ones are paying tribute to the “laid back gentleman” that managed to leave a lasting legacy in the business – all while raising six children.

Tom passed away peacefully on January 3, aged 68, just two days shy of his birthday.

His son Tim Lusch said his dad had been “battling away” with cancer for some years after diagnosis in late 2021.

But just after Christmas on December 27, Tom tested positive to Covid-19.

Mr Lusch said his dad had been “up and about” for Christmas, and was able to enjoy the holiday season with his family.

But his condition worsened quickly after getting Covid-19.

“It just happened very very suddenly,” said Mr Lusch.

Successful businessman Tom Lusch has been remembered for his grace and generosity in the days following his sudden death. Picture: Courtesy of the Lusch family

Mr Lusch said he had learned a lot from his father both personally and in business.

He and his brother Aaron are now involved in the family’s packaging business, which is based in Geebung “just around the corner” from their family home.

Tom Lusch had been inspired by his own parents, who had run their own small printing business in Melbourne.

He moved to Queensland to work for biggest printing company at the time Inprint, but soon realised there was a gap in the state’s market for embellishing.

He had bought a small hand held machine and started doing embellishing work at home in his own time, on weekends and after work at Inprint.

In 1982, Platypus Print Packaging was born – with the name inspired by the “quirky” and “unique” Australian animal.

Tom Lusch in business in his early years. Picture: Courtest of the Lusch family

“Platypus was a one-stop shop, it could do any job in house,” Tim Lusch explained.

“It was just so diverse.”

Mr Lusch said his dad had kept that original small hand held machine over the years, and it is now displayed in the company’s reception.

He said what his father had been able to achieve with six kids at home – and now 10 grandchildren – was a testament to his hard work.

Mr Lusch described his dad as a “laid back gentleman” who stayed gracious and humble to the end.

“He was famous for his bad sense of dress and taste,” Mr Lusch said.

His father wasn’t one for suits, so the family would be dressing him in a simple polo for his funeral and transporting him in his “pride and joy” – his Holden FJs.

Tom Lusch hard at work in his early years. Picture: Courtesy of the Lusch family

Tom Lusch had always been a big fan of AFL and had helped out a number of clubs over the years, including the Wilston Grange Gorillas.

The Gorillas’ former president Peter Butler said he had known Mr Lusch for around 30 years, after Mr Lusch started printing for them.

Mr Lusch had been a sponsor and helped them “any way he could,” Mr Butler said.

He believed Mr Lusch may have also helped out the Brisbane Lions and the South Queensland Crushers, but wasn’t certain because Mr Lusch would never “big-note it”.

“He’s one of the nicest blokes I’ve ever met in my whole life,” he said.

“Anything he did in the company was always first class … He was just a charming good fellow.”

Mr Butler said Mr Lusch had always stayed positive despite his illness and carried on enjoying life as much as he could.

“He looked after anyone he could,” Mr Butler said.

“I’m privileged to have known him.”

A funeral service will be held to celebrate Tom’s life at 11am on Friday, January 12 at the Victory Centre, 32 Carseldine Road, Bridgeman Downs.