On
June 13, 1945 Frederick and Phyllis Gratton, welcomed the second
child to their family, Barry Talbot. Four years later Barry and his
brother Rodney were joined by a little sister, Maylene.
Early
on, the family lived in Bent Street, Moonee Ponds where Barry
attended the Moonee Ponds Central School. Later they moved to Dublin
Avenue, Strathmore and Barry completed his primary education at the
Strathmore Primary School. The Gratton's moved to Lebanon Street,
Strathmore and it was while they lived here that Barry attended
Glenroy Technical School.
From
an early age Barry was always building something, whether it be billy
carts or cubby houses, some of which were underground. Barry always
wanted to be a builder, but times were tough and he could not get an
apprenticeship. On leaving school he became a sales representative
for Hemingway and Picket, a cigarette distributor. However, he
longed to work with his hands and so became a handyman, specialising
in hanging doors.
In
his teenage years Barry loved to go ferreting and shooting at the
family weekender, Konagaderra. Later he enjoyed camping and water
skiing at Lake Eppalock. Always the gentleman, Barry would make
steps down to the water, where ever he camped. He was always there
to help you.
Barry
loved to dance to rock n roll music. It was on one of these night's
out at the Heidelberg Town Hall that Barry met Katheryn Butterworth.
Little did he know, they would be together for over 40 years. Barry
married Katheryn at St Andrew's Church of England, Rosanna on January
13, 1968.
After
they married the happy couple lived in Lalor. It was here in 1971
that the first of their three boys, Stephen was born. Three years
later Warren came into the world and then finally Brock in 1977. The
late 70's saw the family move to Mill Park. It was here in around
1980 a little boy followed the three Gratton brothers home from a
play ground. Unfortunately they gave him something to eat... Wray
has been a member of the family ever since.
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| Sam & Annie Butterworth, Katheryn & Barry, Phyllis & Frederick Gratton |
Barry's
love of the outdoors carried into his adult life with his own family:
camping; fishing and water skiing. Nearly every school holidays were
spent traveling from Melbourne to stay at the Everton caravan park.
They loved their time here so much that Barry and Kathy would later
relocate their family to the North East. Barry working as a caretaker
at the caravan park.
After
living at Everton for a few years they would move to Markwood and
then later Wangaratta.
While
they lived at Everton in the early 1990's, Barry began working at
Bruck Textiles. He continued working here for around 15 years, until
leaving in around 2006 to take care of Kathy when she fell ill. In
December 2005 Barry named Bruck's employee of the month.
If
you know Barry, you know he loved a good bargain. The Mill Park days
is when the Garage Sale King started his reign. Barry, with boys in
tow, would drive around the neighbourhood on council clean up days
hunting for treasures. It would soon become a family tradition that
Saturday mornings were spent going through the paper and visiting as
many garage sales as possible. This continued when the family moved
to the North East and it still continues today with their sons and
grandchildren heading out early most weekends.
Barry's
biggest joy was his family. His pride in his boys was evident to
all. As his boys grew and started families of their own, he was able
to pass on his many handy man skills to another generation. There
was nothing around the house that he could not build or fix. He
would take turns, going from one sons house to the next, working on
whatever project he felt needed doing – whether the family was
ready or not.
Barry
was a kind, caring and loving son, brother, husband, father,
grandfather, father in law and friend to all that had the pleasure to
know him. He will be missed by all, but his legacy continues in the
family he has left behind.
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| L to R: Stephen, Kathy, Warren, Barry & Brock Gratton |
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