Birkdale ‘flower man’ Walter Graves dies aged 91

The family of the well-known and much loved Birkdale “flower man’’ has shared details of his adventurous and courageous life as locals mourn his passing.

Walter Graves is the bayside's resident "flowerman". He sits out the front of his house on Old Cleveland Rd, Birkdale, most days and waves to everyone who drives past. Picture: Renae Droop

A Birkdale resident described by the community as “a ray of sunshine”, best known for his friendly smile, wave and iconic black sombrero, has passed away aged 90.

Tributes have flowed in from the Redland community for Walter Graves, better known as “the flower man’’.

Born in Liverpool, England on April 8, 1933, he passed away on March 16 after his health suddenly declined.

Mr Graves was one of the Bayside’s most recognisable residents.

He would sit outside his home on Old Cleveland Rd East in Birkdale on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and sold fresh flowers.

A lifelong fan of Liverpool Football Club, one of his last wishes was that mourners at his funeral last week dress in red, the team colours.

Walter Graves was born in Liverpool in 1933.

He married his sweetheart Freda in 1953 and together the couple went on to raise six children: Damian; Liam; Jemma; Blaise; Declan; and Jacinta.

Mr Graves’ son Liam said his father was always adventurous and brave.

“He would take us on adventures everywhere as children,’’ he said.

“We hiked from Liverpool to Cornwall and everyone thought he was mad.

“He made his biggest adventure, to New Zealand, in 1973 and taught us life could be more.

“He started from the bottom and arrived with nothing, building a career and owning his own home for our family.’’

Walter Graves with his children Damian, Liam, Jemma, Blaise, Declan and Jacinta.

Mr Graves worked in numerous jobs including in factories, as a handyman, in hotels and in insurance.

He moved to the Bayside with his second wife Valerie in 2012.

In 2017, he told Quest Newspapers he was always a happy person who loved to make people smile.

Walter and Freda Graves.

“I’ve been selling flowers since 2015 and I think people at first thought I was a little strange, but now I have people come past just so they can see me wave or to pick up my flowers,’’ he said at the time.

“I get the flowers from friends, and my wife Valerie arranges them for me.

“She likes to keep a close eye on me because I have a bad ticker and because I like to see the girls give me a wave and smile as they drive past.’’

He lived his life with courage and a love of comforting people and improving their day.

Liam Graves said his father worked in insurance in the 1960s and would always make an effort to drop by his clients’ homes for a cup of tea.

Tributes placed outside Walter 'Wal' Graves’ Birkdale home following his passing.

“Throughout his life he enjoyed making people’s day and making people laugh,” he said.

Liam Graves said his father loved gardening all his life and enjoyed sharing gardening tips with those who bought his flowers.

Mr Grave’s wife Valerie Graves said he started with 25 bunches from the Birkdale Flower Farm and “it went on from there”.

“He loved giving the kids veggie plants and herbs to take home and grow, he just loved bringing the old community spirit back,” Mrs Graves said.

“Walter was the most sincere, honest, reliable, positive family man.

“If anyone would like to make a donation to the Circle of Men (in Redlands) we would be very grateful to people in supporting his mates, who did a guard of honour at his funeral,” she said.

Mrs Graves said her husband will be missed in so many ways by is family, friends and so many people in the community,” she said.

A special thanks to the Circle of Men & The Flower Farm at Birkdale for their donations.

Local Councillor Paul Bishop said the passing of Mr Graves was very said news.

“His humble waves and cheery smile beaming from beneath his iconic black sombrero would delight locals,” Cr Bishop said.

Redland local Christine Davis van Didden said she would wave to Mr Graves as he was waving and smiling to her.

Walter Graves brought “so much joy” to the Redland community.

“He brought so much joy to me and I am sure to many people. What a lovely man, he will be missed,” she said.

Another local, Natalie Taylor, said she would drive past Mr Graves many times each week.

“He brightened our days and will be sadly missed,” she said.

Birkdale’s Nikki Thorn called Mr Graves an “icon of Birkdale”.

“His beautiful, big happy smile always made my da. He will be missed,” Ms Thorn said.

Baysider Bernadette Jeffrey expressed her sorrow for the family’s loss.

“He was lovely, his smile was so warm. I looked forward to seeing him and getting a wave,” Ms Jeffrey said.

“What a wonderful man bringing a little ray of sunshine to everyone’s lives.’’