By Parker McKenzie
Anthony O’Loughlin, better known as Jack, passed away on Monday 31 January aged 72.
Mr O’Loughlin was a life-member of Boronia Fire brigade and CFA for over 53 years, having started with the brigade in March 1968. He held several positions with the brigade including as third lieutenant, secretary, junior leader and resident officer.
Neil Parlby said Mr O’Loughlin joined Boronia CFA at the same time as he did, and the CFA became like a family for Mr O’Loughlin.
“His parents passed away when he was probably in his 30s, maybe 40s,” he said.
“He had a brother who passed away who was with the CFA for a short while and another brother in Queensland, so that was all the family he had. The camaraderie of the fire brigade kept him going.”
Mr Parlby said Mr O’Loughlin returned to the CFA even after a successful throat cancer operation.
“Jack did a good stint as secretary and he was also what they called before we had permanent staff, a resident officer,” Mr Tarlby said.
“He was paid by the CFA to sleep on the station. It was a few stations around the state and he did that for a short time, it was around 18 months.”
On their Facebook page, Boronia CFA said while resident officer he lived on the station as one of the few people to have done so.
“Jack’s knowledge of the brigade, CFA and firefighting was exceptional and he always helped and passed on his knowledge to brigade members,” Boronia CFA said.
“Jack will be missed by everyone at the Brigade and we pass our condolences to Jack’s family and friends.”
Mr Parlby said Mr O’Loughlin “woke up early to the fact we didn’t use protective gear” during the early years of his CFA career.
“After cancer, he tried to stay back out of the house fires, which was one of the smarter things he did,” Mr Parlby said.
“Going into a house fire with no breathing apparatus, during the time we didn’t have much of those things around, has changed these days, it wouldn’t happen like that anymore.”
Mr Parlby also speculated Mr O’Loughlin’s cancer may have been caused by the fuels and chemicals used in training when brigades were unaware of the dangers they posed.
Mr O’Loughlin was awarded a life membership in the CFA in 2017 and also received other awards for his service to the CFA.
Mr Parlby said Mr O’Loughlin was a committed firefighter who showed the younger volunteers the way it should be done.
“He was a very quiet sort of person thought he liked his space,” he said.
“I would say 99.9 per cent of the time he was right when he argued about anything as far as CFA was concerned,
“He would look into the problem first before he came out and said this is what needs to be done.”
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Wednesday 16 February at 1pm at Heritage and Heritage Funerals in Wantirna, with a wake being held next door at the Hill Club.
